LI 832  

Information Resources and Programs for Young Adults

Summer 2005

 

Internet: Beginning June 8

July 8-10

Internet: Ending August 5

 

Linda L. Lillard, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

 

Online Office Hours: M-F  Evenings:  4-6 pm or by appointment

Face-to-Face Office Hours: By Appointment

Office:  417 William Allen White Library

Telephone: (785) 228-2210 or Cell: (785) 221-8060
e-mail:  lillardl@emporia.edu or AOL Instant Messenger:  lllillard

 

 

Course Description:

Analysis of young adults’ (age 11-18) recreational, cultural, informational, educational, and research needs as evidenced in society and reflected in their information sources (print and electronic).

 

Course Format:

 

There is a lot of reading to do for this class in a very short time.  Hopefully it will be enjoyable reading for you.  This course will begin at the start of the summer semester, June 8, in Blackboard.  There will be some discussion in Blackboard and some lectures to read.  A schedule for reading the textbook will also be posted in Blackboard.  However, you should read these required books first and in this order:  The Giver by Lois Lowry; Keeper of the Night by Kimberly Willis Holt, Sonnie’s House of Spies by George Ella Lyon, The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier; Monster by Walter Dean Myers and ONE of these graphic novels: Maus by Art Spiegelman or The Last Knight by Will Eisner.  The additional books for your reading project will be your choices from the different genres, but get started with the required books first. 

 

Course outcomes:

Students will:

Ø      Identify key changes that Young Adults are undergoing.

Ø      Relate teen culture and interests to young adult information needs.

Ø      Learn to respond to young adults in a positive way avoiding stereotyping while considering their unique characteristics.

Ø      Analyze criteria for Young Adult collection development

Ø      Read a variety of quality Young Adult literature and become familiar with a wide range of genre and authors.

Ø      Acquire knowledge about Young Adult services and programming, in addition to learning how to promote them.

Ø      Address young adult issues and their effect on library policies and services.

Ø      Recognize youth advocacy and the need to keep abreast of constant changes in young adult needs.

 

Course Outline:

 

1. Understanding Young Adults
2. Characteristics of the Best Young Adult Literature
3. History of Adolescent Literature
4. Genres
1. Realism
2. Romance
3. Excitement and Suspense
4. Fantasy and Science Fiction
5. Historical Fiction and Biographies
6. Non-Fiction
7. Poetry
8. Short Stories
9. Drama
10. Multicultural Literature
11. Graphic Novels
5. Serving Young Adults
1. Customer service
2. Collections
3. Programming
4. Outreach and partnerships
6. Evaluating, Promoting and Using Young Adult Literature
1. Booktalking
2. Programming
3. Spaces and promotion
4. Technology
5. Youth involvement
7. Issues
8. Young Adult Literature in Core Content
9. Censorship

 

Learning Activities:

Learning activities will include literature response groups, lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and cooperative learning experiences.

 

Resources:

Resources will include one textbook, young adult literature books, and other related materials such as videos, CD-ROM software and the Internet. 

 

Textbook:

Jones, Patrick. (2004) Connecting Young Adults and Libraries. 3^rd Edition.  New York: Neal-Schuman.

 

Other Resources:

The following books will be used by ALL students: The Giver by Lois Lowry; Keeper of the Night by Kimberly Willis Holt, Sonnie’s House of Spies by George Ella Lyon, The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier; Monster by Walter Dean Myers and ONE of these graphic novels: Maus by Art Spiegelman or The Last Knight by Will Eisner.

 

 

Grading Procedures:

 

Grading Scale

93%-100%: A
90%-92%: A-
87%-89%: B+
83%-86%: B
80%-82%: B-
77%-79%: C+
73%-76%: C
70%-72%: C-
67%-69%: D+
63%-66%: D
60%-62%: D-
59% and below: F

 

Points are awarded for performance on assignments.  Work turned in late will be penalized.  Because most of this class meets online, class participation in the discussion boards is 10% of your grade.  You DO NOT need to respond in every single discussion as I look for quality, not quantity, but only a few responses throughout the semester is not enough.  At least two postings per week would be acceptable.

 

Project	Points
Interview Paper	20
Library Display w/Booktalk	20
Topic or Issue Group Presentation	20
Reading Project	30
Class Participation	10

 

 

 

Interview Paper (20 points) (Post in Blackboard by July 24)

Objective: The student will understand the basic needs, interests and problems of young adults in grades seven through twelve.

Activity:  Complete this activity after we have discussed the characteristics, needs, and interests of young adults.

Ø      Create a list of questions (approximately 12-15) to ask young adults to help you understand their needs, interests, and problems. 

Ø      Interview three young adults.  Try to select a variety of age levels and gender differences.

Ø      Write a typed, double spaced paper (approximately 3-5 pages) in which you discuss the interviews, including a summary of the interviews and your evaluation of the interview response.  You may choose to include a table to help you make a comparison of responses. This assignment can be written in the fist person. 

Evaluation:  This assignment will be graded on completeness, clarity, neatness, organization, spelling, and grammar. Be sure you include a complete discussion of your evaluation of the responses—not just a summary.

 

Library Display w/Booktalk (Presented During Class Meeting) (30 points)

Objectives: The student will select materials appropriate for young adults. The student will demonstrate a method to stimulate young adults to read books and/or use related media.

Activity: We will discuss some ways to select materials and to encourage the use of young adult materials However, you will do this activity outside of class. (Make sure you refer to a variety of review sources.) We will discuss the types of booktalks in the discussion board.  Select one book from to booktalk to the class.

Ø      Select at least 10 materials for young adults on a specific topic.

Ø      Use appropriate visuals that exemplify the topical material.

Ø      Your display should be designed to promote the books/media in the bibliography.

Ø      Using the guidelines from readings, prepare and present an ORIGINAL 5-minute booktalk.

 

Evaluation: The booktalk will be evaluated on the following points: appropriateness of selection(s), clarity of presentation, adherence to booktalk guidelines, eye contact and proper grammar. The display will be evaluated on creativity, appropriateness of selections to topic, visual appeal.

 

Reading Project (40 points) Records Due by August 4

Objective: The student will be able to select and evaluate books and related materials for young adults according to the appropriate criteria.

Activity: We will discuss selection and criteria in class. 

Ø      Students need to read at least 12 books and view (or listen to) 4 media.

Ø      You may make records on the six books we study together as a class.

Ø      Keep a record of your reading including all of the following items: title, author, publisher (book) or producer (media), copyright date, genre, approximate age span, a brief summary, personal responses, and an evaluation. You may add additional items, such as them or page numbers of a book.  Your records should be kept on index cards (at least 4x6) or in a database. If the records are kept on cards, they can be handwritten in ink, but they must be neat and legible.

Ø      Organize your cards in some appropriate manner (alphabetized by author or title, divided into genres, etc.). Place the printed database records in a folder; place a rubber band around the cards. Be sure to include your name, the course title, and date (cover sheet or initial card). 

Evaluation: This assignment will be graded on appropriateness of selections, record completeness, organization, grammar and spelling.

*You may select books to read from the lists that will be provided in Blackboard.

**You may also select books to read from http://www.ala.org/Content/NavigationMenu/YALSA/Booklists_and_Book_Awards/Best_Books_for_Young_Adults/Best_Books_for_Young_Adults.htm

***Choices should include books from each of the following genres: Fantasy or Science Fiction; Historical Fiction or Romance; Graphic Novel; Biography or Memoir; Horror or Mystery; Humor or Sports Fiction; Contemporary Problem, Adventure and Survival, Multicultural, and Nonfiction .

 

Class Participation (10 points)

Objective: The student will evaluate books and related media for young adults according to appropriate criteria.

Activity: You will participate in discussion groups and literature response groups for this assignment.  In your literature response group you will share a short summary of the book, your personal response to the book, and your evaluation of the book according to the appropriate criteria.

Evaluation: For this assignment you will be evaluated on the following: the completed record on your book and your active participation in the group. 

 

"I" Incomplete Grading Policy

The grade of "incomplete" will be given only for personal emergencies which are verifiable and when the student has done passing work in the course.

Academic Dishonesty

At Emporia State University, academic dishonesty is a basis for disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to activities such as cheating and plagiarism (presenting as one's own the intellectual or creative accomplishments of another without giving credit to the source or sources.)

The faculty member in whose course or under whose tutelage an act of academic dishonesty occurs has the option of failing the student for the academic hours in question and may refer the case to other academic personnel for further action. Emporia State University may impose penalties for academic dishonesty up to and including expulsion from the university.

Disabilities Policy

Emporia State University will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students need to contact the Director of Disability Services and the professor as early in the semester as possible to ensure that classroom and academic accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. All communication between students, the Office of Disability Services, and the professor will be strictly confidential.

Contact information for the Office of Disability Services:
Office of Disability Services & Non-Traditional Student Programs
242 SE Morse Hall
Emporia State University
1200 Commercial Street
Emporia, KS 66801
Phone : 620/341-6637
TTY: 620/341-6646
Email: disabser@emporia.edu