I. University Course Catalog Description
In this course we will approach literature specifically written for thirteen to eighteen year old audiences for recreational and educational reading purposes. This class is recommended for Education and English majors, so the course will be structured to analyze literary themes and criticism of the genre as well as educational theory for teaching literature in relation to the Common Core Standards for grades 9-12. Taking into account a variety of historical, global, cultural and generational perspectives, students will evaluate forms of literature and literary non-fiction personally, collectively and in the field. Readings will specifically focus on texts that represent a multicultural, social justice and educational equality foundation. Students will utilize multiple genres and viewpoints (including visual media and performance art) to explore contexts of YA literature development, multi-modal literacy curriculum design, educational standards, current research, theory, and writing practices. Critical issues will include Bildungsroman (the classic coming-of-age novel), popular teen culture, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, censorship, inclusive classrooms and appropriate use of technology.
II. Course Objectives
Upon completion of this class, students will be able to:
1. Closely and critically read canonical and popular fiction for young adults
2. Identify and define literary terms in a variety of sub-genres
3. Interpret and communicate individual and collective reader response
4. Facilitate a variety of “meaning making” evaluative methods from text of a variety of complexity and media
5. Select appropriate texts for formal and informal YA learning environments
6. Create interdisciplinary, multi-modal and technology rich lesson plans to enhance literacy skills
7. Select appropriate texts for a social justice conscious educational environment and create inclusionary lesson plans for multiple learning styles and abilities.
8. Comprehend and apply Anchor Reading Standards for Literature for grades 9-12
III. Course Prerequisites
ENGL 150: College Composition
IV. Course Credits
3 credits total
V. Required Texts and Materials (Each group will pick two novels to present)
(GN= Graphic Novel, N= Novel, D= Drama, P= Poetry, ST=Short Stories):
Alsup, Janet, ed. Young Adult Literature and Adolescent Identity Across Cultures and Classrooms: Contexts for the Literary Lives of Teens. Routledge: New York. 2010. (Textbook)
Bradbury, Ray and Tim Hamilton. Fahrenheit 451: The Authorized Adaptation. Hill and Wang/FSG: New York. 2009. (GN)
Brown, Dee. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West. Holt MacDougal: New York. 2007. (N)
Frost, Helen. Keesha’s House. Square Fish Press/Macmillan: New York. 2013. (P)
Helfer, Andrew. Malcolm X: A Graphic Biography. Hill and Wang/FSG: New York. 2006. (GN)
Jimenez, Francisco. The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child. University of New Mexico Press: New Mexico. 1997. (ST)
Medina, Meg. Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass. Candlewick Press: Boston. 2013. (N)
Myers, Walter Dean. Monster. Amistad: New York. 2004. (N)
Nye, Naomi Shihab. Habibi. Simon Pulse: New York. 1999. (N)
Okorafor-Mbachu, Nnedi. Zahrah the Windseeker. Graphia/HMH: Boston. 2005. (N)
Woodson, Jacqueline. From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun. Scholastic: New York. 1995. (N)
Yang, Gene Luen. American Born Chinese. Square Fish Press/Macmillan: New York. 2008. (GN)
Selected non-fiction readings for young people and from scholarly journals and websites about literacy
Recommended Readings:
Abouet, Marguerite and Clement Oubrerie. Aya. Drawn and Quarterly: Montreal. 2008. (GN)
Alvarez, Julia. How The Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents. Algonquin Press: New York. 2010. (N)
Block, Francesca Lia. Girl Goddess #9. Harper Collins: New York. 1996. (ST)
Guy, Rosa. The Friends. Laurel Leaf: New York. 1995. (N)
Hamilton, Virginia. The Magical Adventures of Pretty Pearl.
