Young Adult Literature Syllabus
SPRING 2024 SYLLABUS OUT NOW
Date: Wednesdays
Time: 5-6:30PM
Location: Wheeler 200
Click here for an active link to the Spring 2024 course syllabus
COURSE OBJECTIVE
The objective of this course is to analyze literary devices used within “Young Adult” literature and the manner in which they facilitate discussion within their intended audience about the socio-political and economic environment of their creation. We will be exploring the rise and fall of specific trends, archetypes and themes unique to this genre, and recognize the psychological motivations behind characters that make them appealing to the target audience. The course will also investigate the publishing industry behind the books and the process to publication. Ultimately, students should gain an appreciation for the great nuance within the genre and an in-depth understanding of the literary value that the “Young Adult” genre offers.
The structure of our class is divided into different genres popular in YA literature. The following is the list of genres that will be discussed:
OVERVIEW
We will start on Berkeley time. Each class will be split into two parts—we will present a lecture on the book of the week and hold a class discussion. There will often be scheduled group activities, presentations, and opportunities to interact with your fellow classmates, so please come prepared!
GRADING
This class will be graded on a Pass/No Pass system and those who pass will be rewarded with two units in English 198. The grade will be based upon completion of 70% of the following:
ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION – 40% While attendance will be a crucial portion of your grade, you must also actively participate during class in order to receive the full points for the day. Participation means reading all materials in advance, participating in class discussions. Since we anticipate a number of higher Covid-related absences, we will be offering makeup assignments that will count as participation for a missed day. However, we do ask that if you plan on missing class that you notify us 24 hours beforehand.
One absence without prior notification and one excused absence will be allowed; two tardies count as one absence. If you need to miss class for any other reason, notify us beforehand. Our class will begin at Berkeley time—please arrive accordingly!
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: - 30%
Each assignment will be worth 10% of your overall grade.
DISCUSSION POST: - 10%
Each book, has a discussion post associated, which will be due Wednesday at 6:30PM before the discussion date. These are informal, and only 2-3 sentences each. Prompts will be listed with each discussion post.
FINAL PROJECT: Book Pitches - 20%
Each student will be responsible for creating a “book pitch.” The objective of this project is to give students the opportunity to synthesize learning material and their own personal interests/experiences into a short 3-5 minute presentation; students will select a YA book of their choice (one that is not on our reading list), then explain the value of reading the book and what can be learned from it/analyzed about it.
REQUIRED TEXTS FOR SPRING 24:
The objective of this course is to analyze literary devices used within “Young Adult” literature and the manner in which they facilitate discussion within their intended audience about the socio-political and economic environment of their creation. We will be exploring the rise and fall of specific trends, archetypes and themes unique to this genre, and recognize the psychological motivations behind characters that make them appealing to the target audience. The course will also investigate the publishing industry behind the books and the process to publication. Ultimately, students should gain an appreciation for the great nuance within the genre and an in-depth understanding of the literary value that the “Young Adult” genre offers.
The structure of our class is divided into different genres popular in YA literature. The following is the list of genres that will be discussed:
- Graphic Novels
- Romance
- Thriller
- Historical Fiction
- Dystopian / Sci-Fi
- Fantasy
- Contemporary
OVERVIEW
We will start on Berkeley time. Each class will be split into two parts—we will present a lecture on the book of the week and hold a class discussion. There will often be scheduled group activities, presentations, and opportunities to interact with your fellow classmates, so please come prepared!
GRADING
This class will be graded on a Pass/No Pass system and those who pass will be rewarded with two units in English 198. The grade will be based upon completion of 70% of the following:
ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION – 40% While attendance will be a crucial portion of your grade, you must also actively participate during class in order to receive the full points for the day. Participation means reading all materials in advance, participating in class discussions. Since we anticipate a number of higher Covid-related absences, we will be offering makeup assignments that will count as participation for a missed day. However, we do ask that if you plan on missing class that you notify us 24 hours beforehand.
One absence without prior notification and one excused absence will be allowed; two tardies count as one absence. If you need to miss class for any other reason, notify us beforehand. Our class will begin at Berkeley time—please arrive accordingly!
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: - 30%
Each assignment will be worth 10% of your overall grade.
DISCUSSION POST: - 10%
Each book, has a discussion post associated, which will be due Wednesday at 6:30PM before the discussion date. These are informal, and only 2-3 sentences each. Prompts will be listed with each discussion post.
FINAL PROJECT: Book Pitches - 20%
Each student will be responsible for creating a “book pitch.” The objective of this project is to give students the opportunity to synthesize learning material and their own personal interests/experiences into a short 3-5 minute presentation; students will select a YA book of their choice (one that is not on our reading list), then explain the value of reading the book and what can be learned from it/analyzed about it.
REQUIRED TEXTS FOR SPRING 24:
Do not be discouraged by the booklist. If you find yourself having issues with the reading load, feel free to reach out to us. If you also have issues obtaining the books, please notify the facilitators in advance, and we will make sure to get you a copy in time for the week’s reading/discussion!
CLASS POLICIES
As a member of the UC Berkeley community, you should (already be doing this and continuing to do so!) act with honesty, integrity, and respect for others. For more on academic integrity, see: http://sa.berkeley.edu/conduct/integrity/definition.
FLEXIBILITY AND UNDERSTANDING
While Spring 2024 will be taught in person, we recognize that there are still many uncertainties and extenuating circumstances for many students. Depending on the nature of the pandemic, students may return to online instruction for durations of time, and we understand that these changes may be distressing. Students are encouraged to reach out to the facilitation team if you find yourself in any extenuating circumstances. We will do our best to offer support and recommend campus resources, such as University Health Services and the Basic Needs Center.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Please let us know as soon as possible if you require any disability-related accommodations in this class, have emergency medical information you wish to share, or if you need any sort of special arrangements at all. Feel free to email if you are uncomfortable sharing with us in person. For more on the Disabled Students’ Program: http://dsp.berkeley.edu.
CONTACT
If you would ever like to reach any of the course facilitators, feel free to email us at [email protected]. If you would like to reach any of us individually, our emails are:
Office hours are available per request: we strongly encourage you to come so we can get to know you better! We also greatly value any feedback you have regarding the course.
CLASS POLICIES
As a member of the UC Berkeley community, you should (already be doing this and continuing to do so!) act with honesty, integrity, and respect for others. For more on academic integrity, see: http://sa.berkeley.edu/conduct/integrity/definition.
FLEXIBILITY AND UNDERSTANDING
While Spring 2024 will be taught in person, we recognize that there are still many uncertainties and extenuating circumstances for many students. Depending on the nature of the pandemic, students may return to online instruction for durations of time, and we understand that these changes may be distressing. Students are encouraged to reach out to the facilitation team if you find yourself in any extenuating circumstances. We will do our best to offer support and recommend campus resources, such as University Health Services and the Basic Needs Center.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Please let us know as soon as possible if you require any disability-related accommodations in this class, have emergency medical information you wish to share, or if you need any sort of special arrangements at all. Feel free to email if you are uncomfortable sharing with us in person. For more on the Disabled Students’ Program: http://dsp.berkeley.edu.
CONTACT
If you would ever like to reach any of the course facilitators, feel free to email us at [email protected]. If you would like to reach any of us individually, our emails are:
- Nikita Kumar ([email protected])
- Office Hours: By appointment
- Angie Chen ([email protected])
- Office Hours: By appointment
- Tengerleg Enkhtuvshin ([email protected])
- Office Hours: By appointment
- Tobin Weight-Carter ([email protected])
- Office Hours: By appointment
- Redeeta Raisa ([email protected])
- Office Hours: By appointment
- Kayla Almero ([email protected])
- Office Hours: By appointment
- Holly Quick ([email protected])
- Office Hours: By appointment
- Liesel Moscoso ([email protected])
- Office Hours: By appointment
Office hours are available per request: we strongly encourage you to come so we can get to know you better! We also greatly value any feedback you have regarding the course.