| Course Information |
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Course
Description:
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An
historical survey of literature for children with special attention to
literature for pre-school and elementary years. Genres studied include
picture books, fiction, traditional literature, nonfiction, and
poetry. This course transfers as Literature for Children, but not as a
literature course to fulfill the general education requirement. This
course is primarily intended for those majoring in Early Childhood Education
or Elementary Education.
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Course
Objectives:
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To understand the criteria for the major awards for
children's literature, particularly the Caldecott and the Newbery.
To be able to trace the history of literature for children.
To evaluate a book for young children.
To define literary terms.
To search and locate literary activities for use in the pre-school
and/or elementary classroom on the Internet.
To recognize how fiction can teach valuable life lessons.
To distinguish between realistic fiction and fantasy.
To recognize how traditional literature reflects values of a particular
culture.
To compare variants of folktales from different cultures.
To recognize the impact of Greco-Roman and Norse mythologies on
American culture.
To evaluate poetry for children and recognize uses for the classroom.
To incorporate nonfiction in the pre-school and/or elementary
classroom.
To explore methods for dealing with censorship issues in the classroom.
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| Prerequisites
and Corequisites: |
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ENGL 1010
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Course
Topics:
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Topic 1 Course
Orientation and Literary Awards--explanation of assignments.
Also, you will learn about the major awards for children's literature.
Topic 2 History
of Children's literature--How children's literature has developed and
changed over the years. You will also be introduced to literary
terms and techniques for classroom use traditional literature influences
contemporary culture.
Topic 3 We
will explore books for the very young as well as picture storybooks for
all age groups.
Topic 4 Traditional
Literature--You will explore folktales, legends, fables, and myths and
understand how traditional lit influences contemporary culture. Topic 5
Modern Fantasy--You will explore modern fantasy and science
fiction and choose 1 book from a reading list to read and write a
book report. Topic 6
Realistic Fiction--You will explore contemporary and realistic
fiction and determine how to use this genre in the classroom. You
will choose an example of each from a reading list for book reports.
Topic 7
You will learn to choose poetry for children and explore the many types
of nonfiction available. As a culmination of the course, you will
prepare a themed unit for the grade level of your choice.
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Specific
Course Requirements:
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There
are no special requirements for this course.
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| Textbooks,
Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements |
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Required
Textbooks:
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Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. It is located at http://rodp.bkstr.com.
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Supplementary
Materials:
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There are no additional materials required for the
class.
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Hardware
Requirements:
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Software
Requirements:
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The
minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
Secific hardware requirements for this course include...(A list of software
the student is required to purchase or download for the course, Real
Player, Media Player, Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Office, etc).
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| Instructor
Information |
Please
see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information
as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication
information.
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| Assessment
and Grading |
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Testing
Procedures:
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Chapter Quizzes There are a
total of 10 quizzes. Each is multiple choice and will be available
to you at the appropriate times. Again, check the calendar for
availability. It is OK to use your text while taking the quizzes, but
time limits will be set. You should be familiar with the material
before taking the quiz. You will have only 1 attempt.
Final Exam The Final Exam
will be in 2 parts. The first will be composed of multiple choice
questions taken from your 10 quizzes. The second part will be
composed of essay questions which I will send to you.
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Grading
Procedure:
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Grading your assessment will take into
account the following:
Comprehension: How well you
understand and utilize material gained from the text.
Argumentation: How well you
use examples and reasoning to justify your position. It is not
sufficient simply to state your view and then fail to give an
adequate explanation or reason for it (in other words, never simply
state "I believe X" and leave it at that). Do not simply tell me
what you believe; tell me why you believe it.
Clarity: How clear the paper is
in presenting your position. Be specific in your statements (avoid
vague generalities). Organize your paper according to specified
guidelines.
Style: How well the paper is
written. Proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation are all
important.
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Grading
Scale:
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A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 65 - 69
F < 65
I = Incomplete. Given at the instructor's discretion to
students who have not fulfilled all course requirements at the
end of the grading period. The "I" grade counts as an "F" both
in computing the GPA and for purposes of satisfying course
prerequisites. The deadline for removing the Incomplete is
determined by the instructor, but must be no later than two
weeks before the end of the next semester. Exception: Candidates
for graduation who receive an "I" grade during the semester
prior to their final term must remove the Incomplete within the
first two weeks of their final semester. NOTE: If course
requirements are not satisfied by the deadline, the "I" grade is
changed to "IF" on the student's transcript.
W = Withdraw. Student has withdrawn prior to the drop
deadline. Not calculated in GPA.
Chapter
quizzes
20 points
each
200/1000
Book
Reports
100 points
each
300/1000
Picture
book
reviews
10 points
each
140/1000
Discussions
10 points
each
150/1000
Introductory
email
10
points
10/1000
Final
Exam, Part
1
100
points
100/1000
Final
Exam, Part II
100
points
100/1000
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| Assignments
and Participation |
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Assignments
and Projects:
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This is a list of all assignments for this course. The assignments
are organized by weeks. Assignments are more fully explained on
the topic pages..
| Week
Due |
Type |
Description |
%
of Final Grade |
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1 |
Send
an email through WebCT mail to your instructor introducing
yourself and stating that you have read the syllabus and
understand the assignments. Ask questions about any that you
do not understand. |
WebCT
mail |
10/1000
points |
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1 |
Introduce
yourself to classmates |
discussion |
10/1000 |
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1 |
Awards quiz
(pages 273-298 in text) |
multiple
choice |
20/1000 |
| 1 |
Reread
a favorite childhood picture storybook |
book
review |
10/1000 |
| 2 |
Chapter 1
quiz |
multiple
choice |
20/1000 |
| 2 |
Read a
Caldecott winner from the 1940's or 1950's |
book review |
10/1000 |
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Find an
internet site devoted to children's literature and share your
findings with your classmates. |
discussion |
10/1000 |
| 3 |
Chapter 3
quiz |
multiple
choice |
20/1000 |
| 3 |
Read a
Caldecott winner or honor book from the 21st century |
book review |
10/1000 |
| 3 |
Find an
author website. Evaluate it and share your findings with
your classmates. |
discussion |
10/1000 |
| 3 |
Chapter 4
& 5 quiz |
multiple
choice |
20/1000 |
| 4 |
Read an
alphabet book arranged thematically |
book review |
10/1000 |
| 4 |
Why is it important to read aloud to
children? Reflect on your own experiences. |
discussion |
10/1000 |
| 5 |
Read a book
to recommend as the 2005 Caldecott winner--be sure it is eligible. |
book review |
10/1000 |
| 5 |
Chapter 7
quiz |
multiple
choice |
20/1000 |
| 5 |
Many suggest
that Disney ruins the effectiveness of folk and fairy tales by
sanitizing them. What do you think? Seriously consider
both sides of the question. |
discussion |
10/1000 |
| 6 |
Read an
adaptation of a folktale in a picture storybook. |
book review |
10/1000 |
| 6 |
Chapter 8
quiz |
multiple
choice |
20/1000 |
| 6 |
Folktale
Assignment |
Comparison |
30/1000 |
| 6 |
Comment on
the current trend of the princess (The Princess Diaries, et
al) in movies, books, and TV. Is this providing a
negative example for girls today? Why or why not? |
discussion |
10/1000 |
| 7 |
Find a
modern variant or retelling of a traditional tale in picture
storybook format. |
book review |
10/1000 |
| 7 |
What is your
favorite fairytale and why? |
discussion |
10/1000 |
| 8 |
Cinderella
Assignment |
comparison
of variants |
40/1000 |
| 8 |
Find a
retelling of a myth in picture storybook format. |
book review |
10/1000 |
| 8 |
Comment on
fantasy choice. |
discussion |
10/1000 |
| 9 |
Book of your
choice |
book review |
10/1000 |
| 9 |
Chapter 10
quiz |
multiple
choice |
20/1000 |
| 9 |
Some people
believe fantasy is harmful? What do you think and why? |
discussion |
10/1000 |
| 9 |
Modern
Fantasy/Science Fiction |
Book
Report |
100/1000 |
| 10 |
Find an
example of multi-cultural or socially diverse contemporary
realistic fiction. |
book review |
10/1000 |
| 10 |
Chapter 11
quiz |
multiple
choice |
20/1000 |
| 10 |
comment on
contemporary realistic choice |
discussion |
10/1000 |
| 11 |
Find an
example of historical fiction in a picture storybook format. |
book review |
10/1000 |
| 11 |
Contemporary
Realistic Fiction |
Book
Report |
100/1000 |
| 11 |
Is realistic
fiction for children too realistic? Why or why not? |
discussion |
10/1000 |
| 12 |
Chapter 9
quiz |
multiple
choice |
20/1000 |
| 12 |
Find a poem
or poems in picture book format |
book review |
10/1000 |
| 12 |
comment on
historical fiction choice |
discussion |
10/1000 |
| 13 |
Chapter 12
quiz |
multiple
choice |
20/1000 |
| 13 |
Find an
informational book or biography in picture book format. |
book review |
10/1000 |
| 13 |
Recommend an
informational book to your classmates? What do you like
about your choice? |
discussion |
10/1000 |
| 14 |
Review 2
picture storybooks of your choice. |
book reviews |
20/1000 |
| 14 |
Historical
Fiction |
Book
Report |
100/1000 |
| 14 |
What was
your favorite of all the books you discovered & why? |
discussion |
10/100 |
| 14 |
How have
your views toward children and reading changed because of this
class? |
discussion |
10/1000 |
| 14 |
Final
Exam, Part II |
Essay
Questions (sent to students) |
100/1000 |
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Final
Exam Part 1 |
Multiple
Choice |
100/1000 |
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Class
Participation:
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Students are required to participate in discussion
with other students. Certain activities are assigned;
however, students must check the bulletin board regularly for
announcements posted by the instructor. Students should
check the calendar daily.
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Punctuality:
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Check the calendar for assignment due dates. Any changes will be
posted there as well.
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| Course
Ground Rules |
You are expected to complete
assignments on time. Short assignments such as discussion
assignments or writing assignments will not be accepted after 1
week. Much of the course is dependent on interaction among the
students and if you are behind you will not benefit.
Book Reports
are due on the dates assigned. During the 1st week late, the
assignment will be penalized a letter grade or 10 points. An
additional 10 points will be added the next week. At the
beginning of the 3rd week, the assignment will receive a
"0." Check
the calendar for due dates.
Extensions
will be available only in extreme circumstances at the discretion of
the instructor.
In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high
standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.
Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, an attempt by one or
more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an
exam, to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings,
laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by
another person, or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or
using unauthorized materials.
Plagiarism,
cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.
Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly
through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to
the instructor of the class. In addition to other possible
disciplinary sanctions, which may be imposed through the regular
institutional procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the
instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity
or to assign an "F" for the course.
If
an assignment is found to be plagiarized, it will receive a
"0."
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| Guidelines
for Communications |
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Email:
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- Always
include a subject line.
- Remember
without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way.
Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful
in some cases.
- Use
standard fonts.
- Do not
send large attachments without permission.
- Special
formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should
be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
- Respect
the privacy of other class members
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Discussion
Groups:
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- Review
the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion.
Be a lurker then a discussant.
- Try
to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting
a new topic.
- Do not
make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the
discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas.
- Be patient
and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering
your remarks.
- Be cooperative
with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
- Be positive
and constructive in group discussions.
- Respond
in a thoughtful and timely manner.
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Chat:
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- Introduce
yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
- Be polite.
Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
- Be concise
in responding to others in the chat session.
- Be prepared
to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
- Be constructive
in your comments and suggestion
Chat will
not be used in this class.
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Web
Resources:
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Library
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The
Tennessee
Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents
Degree Program. Links
to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary
loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian
support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online
assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses.
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Students With Disabilities
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Qualified
students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary
academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability
services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability
accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification
of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability
services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility
to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services
staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation
notice sent to the instructor.
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Syllabus Changes
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The
instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus.
If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor
will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual
email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s)
on the course bulletin board.
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Technical Support
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Telephone
Support:
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If
you are having problems logging into your course,
timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other
technical problems, please contact the Eduprise Help Desk by calling
1-866-550-7637
(toll free)
or
go to their website at:
http://help.rodp.org
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