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Analyze the major cultural and historical conditions that have shaped childhood and adolescence
Assessment Strategies
Oral and/or written discussion responses
Written product
Criteria
Describe how the conception of childhood differs in historical, political, and cultural contexts
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Analyze the major cultural, historical, and literary conditions that have shaped literature for young people
Assessment Strategies
Oral and/or written discussion responses
Written product
Criteria
Describe how changing conceptions of childhood shape children’s literature
Describe how children's literature differs in historical, political, and cultural contexts
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Identify the major characteristics and concerns of the major genres of literature for young people
Assessment Strategies
Oral and/or written discussion responses
Written product
Criteria
Explain the defining features of each of the major genres covered in the course (e.g. folklore, such as fairy tales and folk tales; works of prose, such as chapter books, children's novels, and young adult novels; nonfiction; and poetry)
Identify and explain the major elements of the genre present in an individual text
Explain the historical, cultural, political, and literary context of a work in a specific genre
Use literary terminology to describe and discuss a work as an example of a specific genre
Apply the skills listed above to a new text, without assistance from the instructor
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Identify and analyze common misconceptions about literature for young people
Assessment Strategies
Oral and/or written discussion responses
Written product
Criteria
Describe common misconceptions about childhood
Analyze how those misconceptions are rooted in cultural ideology about childhood, literacy, learning, race, gender, and power
Describe the perspective of the children’s literature scholarly community about these misconceptions
Explain how a text conforms to or refutes those misconceptions
Develop a personal perspective on these issues
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Analyze visual and performance elements in children’s literature
Assessment Strategies
Oral and/or written discussion responses
Written product
Criteria
Explain the defining features of illustrated works such as picture books, board books, and graphic novels
Identify the major elements of the visual and performance elements present in an individual text
Explain how the design and performance elements affect the reader’s experience
Explain the historical, cultural, political and literary context of the visual elements
Use design terminology to describe and analyze a work in connection with a theme or other effect
Apply the skills listed above to a new text, without assistance from the instructor
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Analyze major issues in children's literature
Assessment Strategies
Oral and/or written discussion responses
Written product
Criteria
Explain the major features of each issue (such as censorship, changing markets, and the changing education landscape)
Explain the historical, political, and cultural context of the issue
Acknowledge the complexity and ambiguity implicit in the issue
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Examine the importance of diverse representation and authorship in literature for young people
Assessment Strategies
Oral and/or written discussion responses
Written product
Criteria
Explain the importance of diverse representation across many aspects of identities (age, race and ethnicity, national origin, religion, social class, gender, ability, sexual orientation, language background, and others)
Explain the importance of diverse authorship
Analyze the issues around authenticity, insider/outsider voices, and sensitivity readers in publishing and reader reception
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Use concepts of literacy and psychology to understand children as readers
Assessment Strategies
Oral and/or written discussion responses
Written product
Criteria
Apply basic concepts of literacy and connect them to the study of children's literature
Explain basic concepts of child psychology and connect them to the study of children's literature
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Examine how personal perspectives about children and children’s literature are shaped
Assessment Strategies
Oral and/or written discussion responses
Written product
Criteria
Reflect on your experiences as a child based on multiple aspects of your identities
Reflect on your experiences as a reader based on multiple aspects of your identities
Describe the flawed nature of memory
Analyze your position as an adult reader of texts for young people based on multiple aspects of your identities
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Use tools of general literary analysis to discuss and evaluate children's literature in writing
Assessment Strategies
Written discussion responses
Written product
Criteria
Use appropriate literary terminology
Explain the complexities and skill present in the language and illustration of children's literature
Apply a variety of critical approaches to texts
Explore the ambiguity of literary texts
Formulate well-supported, well-argued interpretations of texts
Explain the relationship between literature and children's place in society
Identify major themes and concerns in children's literature
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Present readings and lead discussions about children's literature
Assessment Strategies
Oral and/or written discussion responses
Written product
Presentation
Criteria
Read texts and discuss literature to engage the audience
Support and encourage discussion as a group leader
Explore a variety of critical approaches to texts with peers
Explore the complexity and ambiguity of literary texts with peers
Refine interpretations of texts with peers