Introduction to Children's Literature

Spring 2005

ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES

Annotated Bibliography and Presentation: Your major project in this course will be to select and compile an annotated list of 25 texts…then present the results to the class.  You will receive a detailed handout on this project very soon.

 

Exams: The best way to prepare for exams is to prepare for class well (see “Schedule” introduction).  In addition, keep track of new definitions, terms, and concepts.  Take excellent notes during class and review them before the exam.  Exams may be any combination of identification, definition, short answer, and/or essay questions.

 

Film Reviews: For each film we view in class, please type a one-page review (double-spaced, following MLA format guidelines) that addresses the following: What literary issues that we have discussed are visible in this film?  If an adaptation, what is the relationship of the film to the original text?  (What issues are raised as a result of the translation into a new medium?  What is changed?  Are these changes beneficial, given the original text, or problematic? )  Be specific.

 

COURSE POLICIES

The following policies are in place to protect our community, to ensure that your experience is as positive as possible, and to facilitate the growth of a challenging and rewarding work environment.

Attendance: You are a vital member of our community, and regular attendance is essential and expected.  Our policy will be as follows: there are no “excused” absences.  You are allowed two weeks of absences with no penalty (to allow for illness, travel, emergency, etc.).  An additional absence will affect your final grade adversely (-25 points per instance).  Three late arrivals/early departures will also cost you 25 points—please avoid them.  Four weeks of absences will result in failure of the course—no exceptions.  Metro has a policy of accommodating students who need to miss class because of their religious beliefs, provided such students notify their instructors of such needs within the first two weeks of the semester. Any student eligible for reasonable accommodation of special learning needs should speak with me during the first week of class. 

 

Assignments: Assignments are due in class, at the beginning of class, on the due date. Late work will be accepted one class period after the deadline only (and will be reduced one letter grade accordingly).  Please do not email or fax assignments.  I will expect you to have completed the assigned readings and to be prepared to talk about them in class—I’m looking for active, thoughtful, constructive participation.  Please bring your textbook to class.  Unless otherwise specified, assignments should by typed (double-spaced) in a 12-point font with 1” margins; please format according to MLA guidelines.  If your work is longer than one page, please staple pages in the upper-left-hand corner.  

 

Email:  From time to time, I may send the class important information through the Metro Connect system.  Please check your Metro email at least once a week.

 

Academic Responsibilities: All work must be your own, generated this semester for this course.  Plagiarism involves using all or part of a source (words or ideas) without correctly citing the source (this includes representing another person’s work as your own or using a source in any way without correct documentation). You are responsible for asking me if you are not sure how to document something.  Academically dishonest or plagiarized work will receive an "F" and may be grounds for further disciplinary action (see the Metro State Student Handbook for more information).

 

Office Hours: I hold regular office hours every week.  In addition, you may request an appointment—with two days’ advance notice—between 9:45-12:15 MW.  Feel free to email anytime.  I will respond to your email as soon as I receive it. 

 

Important Dates: The No-Credit (NC) deadlines are February 14 (no faculty signature required) and April 1 (faculty signature required).  Final exam week is May 9-14. 

Please note: this syllabus is our contract—if you remain in the class, you agree to abide by the policies outlined above.