GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

COURSE INFORMATION OUTLINE

COURSE NO. LIT 203                                                       TITLE Children’s Literature

CREDIT HOURS 3                                                              CONTACT HOURS 3

FULL CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

Examines classical and contemporary selected works of children’s literature from a variety of genres. Develops critical thinking skills so that students may make informed judgments about children’s books. Considers a variety of literary criticism models and applies them to representative works. Online course requires computer knowledge. Prerequisite: ENG 101.

COURSE OBJECTIVES (STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES):

 Upon successful participation and completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Form and explain in writing their personal preferences or opinions relating to fiction and poetry from both classical and contemporary children’s literature;

2. Define in writing or in oral presentations, the formal elements of narrative–point of view, plot, character, setting, mood, tone, theme/moral, conflict and resolution--as they apply to the various genres;

3. Describe and evaluate in writing the text and illustrations of a minimum of six Caldecott Award winners;

4. Describe and evaluate in writing or oral presentation a minimum of three children’s collections of rhymes;

5. *Complete a 1500+ word MLA-style research paper (or equivalent project which may branch into multimedia) evaluating non-fiction children’s books;

6. Examine orally and/or in writing the multicultural facets of at least three children’s folk tales;

7. Apply various literary theories to award-winning chapter books that represent the genres of children’s fiction (i.e. fantasy, science fiction, realism, humor, history).

*This course objective has been identified as a student learning outcome that must be formally assessed as part of the College’s Comprehensive Assessment Plan. All faculty teaching this course must collect the required data (see Assessing Student Learning Outcomes form) and submit the required analysis and documentation at the conclusion of the semester to the Office of Assessment and Special Projects.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES:

Lecture, class critiques, reading, discussion.

CRITERIA FOR GRADING:

A student’s final grade is determined on the basis of successful completion of all assigned writing exercises, oral presentations, tests and quizzes, as well as participation and attendance.

REQUIRED TEXT(S):

To be determined by full-time faculty.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING/PRINCIPAL REFERENCES:

Discretion of the instructor.  Anthology and/or individual works

BRIEF OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT

COURSE NO.    LIT 203                                                                    TITLE: Children’s Literature

I. Picture Books

II. Poetry

III. Informational books

IV. Folk Tales

V. Chapter Books

Description Revised:  Spring 2007

Revised Spring 2004

Revised: Fall 2002

Revised: Fall 1996

Revised: Summer 1989

Dated: Fall 1988