English 215: Children's Literature

Children's Literature Syllabus - English 251

English 215: Children's Literature Course Information Sheet Spring, 1999

Instructor: Donna H. Cox Office: Rm. 5-534

Office Hours: MW 8:00–9:00 & Phone: 292-3377

By appointment E-Mail: dcox@monroecc.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:

A survey of classics from Aesop to Maurice Sendak. Discussion centers on myths, fables, and folk tales with themes such as evil, escape, and the demands of society.

At the completion of this course students will be able to write papers demon-
strating an understanding of the following topics:
the historical development of children's literature, including the
parallel to adult literature
the literary genres within children's literature
the quality of various children's works from an adult perspective

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

2 (out of a possible 4) short papers (3-5 typed pages)

2–3 exams and several quizzes

1 personal anthology

1 group oral presentation*

Daily work (attendance and participation)

*Presentation: Each student, with partners, is responsible for a special project to be determined by the group. The project will include a written outline, a team conference with me, and an oral presentation. (All students must participate.) SAMPLE REQUIRED TEXTS/READING MATERIAL: (Books may change before class begins; students should check with bookstore before buying books) Aesop’s Fables (Dover)

King Arthur (Dover)

The Ugly Duckling & Other Fairy Tales (Dover)

Beauty and the Beast & Other Fairy Tales (Dover)

Sleeping Beauty & Other Fairy Tales ( Dover)

Alice in Wonderland, L. Carroll (Dover)

Charlotte's Web, E. B. White

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Taylor

Tuck Everlasting, Babbitt

Weetzie Bat, Block

The Giver, Lowry

One novel TBD by class

Various handouts

ATTENDANCE: Prompt attendance is mandatory. According to College policy, prompt and regular attendance is required of students. At my discretion, you may be dropped after 1 absence,but formal withdrawal is your responsibility should you decide to withdraw from the class. Three late arrivals may be counted as an absence; early departures may also count as partial absences.

Note: Absences exceeding the above policy after the deadline for me to drop you for poor attendance will result in a grade cut for each absence and may result in class failure.

GRADES Each of the following components will receive a unit grade that will be averaged to determine your final grade:

2 composition grades (must be completed to pass class)
2–3 exam grades (must be completed to pass class)
1 group project grade (must be completed to pass class)
1 personal anthology grade
1 daily work grade (participation, group work, & quizzes)

MAKE-UP POLICY Quizzes and classwork participation grades cannot be made up. If we take a quiz before you arrive, you missed a quiz. Exams may be made up at my discretion only

(no chance of make-up unless I hear from you before, or on the day of, the exam).

PAPERS: The following directions will save us both frustration. I won't be frustrated by unacceptable papers, and you won't be frustrated by my refusal to accept your paper, or by grading problems that might arise.

All outside assignments must be typed. Keep a duplicate copy of all papers.
Papers that do not meet minimum requirements may receive a failing grade and
are very unlikely to receive a grade higher than a D.
Staple or paper clip papers; please do not fold or dog-ear.
On occasion you may be permitted to rewrite a paper (grade averaged). The
graded original must accompany any rewrite.
Excessive spelling or mechanical errors (more than five) may result in a refused
paper. Even if I accept the paper, mechanical errors will definitely impact the
quality of your writing and reduce your grade.
Late papers will be accepted at my discretion only and will receive a minimum of one letter grade cut per class late.

Keep all returned papers until after you receive your final grade (I’m careful recording grades, but I’m not perfect; and I don’t want your grade to suffer because I make an error.) Back to courses Back to Donna's Home Page