EDU/ENH291 Course Syllabus Contact Information • Instructor: Renee Barstack, Ed.D. • Office: HT2-109 • Email: [email protected] • Telephone and Voicemail: (623) 845-3450 • Office hours: posted online About This Course EDU/ENH 291 is a review of folk and modern literature from a variety of world cultures including application of literary criteria to folk and modern literature for children. Course Competencies: 1. Compare and contrast children’s and young adult multicultural literature in relation to the values of various world societies. 2. Describe the history and development of picture and illustrated books and the criteria for evaluating art and content. 3. Choose appropriate books for children at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels that reflect the diversity of our world. 4. Describe the function of picture books in education, and describe the function of picture books as an introduction to ideas and values with examples from the various world cultures. 5. Describe the types of folk tales and their distinctive elements. 6. Describe the social and psychological value of reading folk tales. 7. Describe the characteristics of fables and their use and values. 8. Apply literary criteria (plot, characterization settings, styles, point of view, theme, tone) to fiction for children. 9. Describe the importance of fantasy, folk tales, and fables in developing imagination and providing insights into the histories and values of diverse world cultures. 10. Describe the value of nursery rhymes as an introduction to poetry and as a basis for development of social, psychological values and linguistic values. 11. Describe the characteristics of nonsense verses. 12. Apply criteria for evaluation of narrative and lyric poetry for children. 13. Describe the importance of style and tone in historical writing for children. 14. Apply composition criteria (research, authenticity, and objectivity) for evaluating biography as history. 15. Describe the benefits for children in listening to stories. Class Format With a few exceptions, we will devote one week to each basic category of children's literature. The unit will consist of assigned preparatory readings, the instructor's background lecture/class notes, and handouts or media presentations of the literature studied, student assignments, and sharing. This is a dynamic and interactive class. Your reading stamina increases throughout this course. Our readings, handouts, and annotations focus on Children’s Literature issues and trends. You are exposed to a variety of genres, which areselected and designed to increase your stamina, encourage you to become a versatile reader, and create scenarios that are conducive to exciting discussions. Consequently, you are expected to bring these skills and attitudes to our class discussions: • Willingness to discuss, read and write in a humanities/education class • Willingness to accept the challenge of reading international genres and research concerning children's literature • Willingness to participate in small and large group activities • Willingness to listen with an open mind to the ideas and informed opinions of others • Willingness to express ideas in clear, concise English Objectives and Requirements Below are examples of possible course assignments:  Read and review one or more books in each genre we study.  NOTE: NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS are accepted. (If you know you will be unavailable, make some other arrangement to submit reviews.)  Create lessons and unit plans on genres and themes in children's literature.  Complete individual writing assignments.  Take a comprehensive final exam and/or create a final project. NOTE: This is a 200 level course and quality counts. Format and English skills (grammar, usage, and mechanics) are part of all graded assignments, so take time to edit and revise your work. Students will use the Modern Language Association (MLA) documentation format. How to Succeed To be successful in EDU/ENH291, students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning. When in doubt about an assignment, students should seek help and ask questions of the instructor. Good time management skills are essential to complete the course successfully. Students need to plan and follow a schedule to complete assignments on time. Clear due dates for assignments will be posted. Students who fail to turn assignments in by the due date may be withdrawn from the course. General Procedures and Policies In order to succeed in this class, you will also have to login/attend regularly, read the class materials carefully and promptly, keep to the class schedule by completing assignments on time, and take responsibility for your learning. You should set aside at least 9 hours a week for this class, spread throughout the week. All assignments are required, although not all writing may be graded; there is no extra credit and no makeup work.  Attendance will be taken at every class. Excessive absences will result in a lower grade or withdrawal from the class. Students who are inactive for two weeks without notifying the instructor are dropped from the course for non-participation.  Students are required to complete all assignments. Check the class schedule regularly for possible assignment and due date changes.  Students are expected to read instructions thoroughly and carefully before submitting assignments. Failure to do so will result in lowered grades and there are no rewrites.  Students not withdrawing from this course by the Records and Admissions mandated withdrawal deadlines will receive an "F" if they fail to complete the minimum requirements for this course. The instructor is NOT responsible for withdrawing students during the semester.  Students with disabilities requiring special accommodation should inform the instructor and contact Disabled Student Resources at (623) 845-3080 to obtain assistance.  Students should read the GCC Student Handbook. It discusses academic misconduct, which includes cheating and plagiarism. Infractions of the Student Code of Conduct are dealt with according to the Student Disciplinary Code in the GCC Student Handbook.  Course content may vary to meet the needs of a particular group. Grading To learn more about my grading process, please see my explanation on line. The grading scale is the same as in most classes: A =