LIB 592: Contemporary Children's and Young Adult Literature

COURSE
DESCRIPTION

This course involves an analysis and study of contemporary children's and young adult literature as well as a study of trends and styles in modern literature. It includes picture books, fiction, and nonfiction featuring contemporary authors and illustrators who are dominating the 21st century literary landscape.

PREREQUISITES

There are no required prerequisites for this course. However, learners are assumed to be teachers with access to K-12 students.

COURSE
STRUCTURE

Online delivery using Blackboard. Course readings and assignments; Discussion Board, Threaded Discussion; providing responses on selected topics and exercises to share with one another.

STANDARDS

This course supports the following International Reading Association's 2003 Standards for Reading Professionals:

4.1	Use students' interests, reading abilities, and backgrounds as foundations for the reading and writing program.
4.2	Use a large supply of books, technology-based information, and non-print materials representing multiple levels, broad interests, and cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
4.4	Motivate learners to be lifelong readers.

PRACTICAL
APPLICATIONS

Students will:

Explore different genres and authors of contemporary award winning children's literature.
Create a resource list of contemporary literature (both fiction and nonfiction) across a developmental range, for a content topic or theme of their choosing.
Examine the potential power literature can have in the moral, ethical, and cultural development of young people in 21st Century.
Be prepared to justify the use of potentially controversial children's literature with the public.

CORE/ELECTIVE

This graduate course can be used as 3 elective credits in the Literature thematic area in the 24-credit Reading Endorsement program, the 12-credit Literary Education program, or as a stand-alone course.

INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Barbara Ruben, Assistant Professor, PSU Graduate School of Education. 20 years teaching K-12. Has both Oregon teaching license and educational administrator's license. Specialist in literacy, brain-based learning, science, and ecology. (BA, UC Santa Cruz; MS and Ed.D., Portland State University.)

TARGET
AUDIENCE

K-12 teachers interested in expanding their knowledge of contemporary children's and young adult literature.

TIME
COMMITMENT

Students should expect to spend 9 hours per week for 10 weeks in course-related activities (e.g., reading the text and course materials, posting to discussion forums, completing written reports/papers and classroom-based assignments). This course is online and does not require in-person attendance. Assignments are completed on the learner's time schedule and are due according to posted deadlines.

TEXTBOOK

Course readings are available electronically through the PSU Millar Library course reserve files. Students will find children's literature primarily at their school's and public libraries.

COST

No course in the ReadOregon curriculum will cost more than $330 per credit, including all fees, for students in the ReadOregon program.

CONTACT

For more details on this course, please contact Valerie Katagiri or Dr. Barbara Ruben.