ENG3360 – Introduction to Adolescent Literature – Spring 2018

Dr. Judith Broome Office hours: T 5-6p R 2-3

broomej1@wpunj.edu Preakness 359
English Dept. phone: 973-720-2254

Prerequisite for course: ENG1500

Cell phones may not be used in class.

Note-taking on laptops is not advised, as studies have shown that students retain material better
when notes are taken by hand.
E-readers or tablets with a Kindle or Nook app ONLY FOR READING ASSIGNED TEXTS ARE
PERMITTED.

Course Description: This course will provide an introduction to adolescent or young adult (YA)
literature. We will discuss YA literature as a field, and will develop techniques with which to analyze
YA literature. In class discussion, we will explore issues including identity development, gender,
sexuality, diversity, social roles, family relations, “fitting in,” and others.

Learning Outcomes: At the conclusion of this class, you should be able to answer the following
questions about adolescent literature:
 How should we define adolescent?
 What are the personal and social functions of adolescence in our culture?
 What is adolescent literature?
 What are possible pedagogical functions of such texts?
 What are some of the typical themes of these works?
 In what ways can we use the tools of literary analysis to deepen our understanding of these
texts?
 Why are certain texts written for adults deemed appropriate reading for adolescents?

Texts
Thomas, The Hate U Give 978-0062498533
West, Salvage the Bones 978-1608196265
Roley, American Son, Norton 2001 978-0393321548
Kincaid, Annie John 978-0374525101
Sanchez, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter 978-1524700485
Green, Turtles All the Way Down 978-0525555360

Attendance: Attendance is required. Three absences are "free," but not on the day of a presentation
or test. Save them for illness or real emergencies. No doctor’s notes required or accepted. If you
exceed those 3 absences, 3 points will be deducted from your final grade for each unexcused
absence.

Blackboard Website: This class has a website on which will be posted announcements, useful links,
assignments, and other information. All university correspondence is conducted via WPU email.
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Requirements:
Presentation: 10 points
Annotated bibliography project:
MLA-style bibliography 10 points
Bibliography + annotations 10 points
Project overview essay 10 points
Quizzes: (6 x 3pts) 18 points*
Midterm: 20 points
Final: 22 points
100 points

*Quizzes will be administered at the start of class. No make ups for lateness or absence.

Written assignments are due on the date specified, whether you are in class or not. LATE
ASSSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

If you are late or absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and what has been
assigned. You may contact classmates through the email function on the associated Blackboard
website.
Tests may be made up only in the event of emergency or illness, and only by prior arrangement.

All assignments must be completed in order to pass this course. Failure to complete an assignment
will result in failure of the course.

Presentations: Your presentation will be on a YA book that we are NOT reading; a list of suggested
texts will be provided. Each presentation should be no longer than 5 minutes, be accompanied by a
PowerPoint presentation (5-6 slides), and include a List of Works Cited and Consulted. Note: failure
to be prepared on the day of your scheduled presentation will result in a grade of 0 for the
presentation.

Annotated Bibliography: You will choose a topic within adolescent literature, such as: family
(mother-daughter, father-son, or sibling relations, for example); school; work; substance use and
abuse; sports; pregnancy; relationship violence; abilities; sexuality; death; "fitting in"; body image;
community; or another topic approved by me. You will prepare an annotated bibliography of 5 YA
books (primary sources) + 2-3 secondary critical articles that inform your project, accompanied by
an overview essay of 500 words. More detailed information will be provided during the semester.

Special Accommodations: If you require special accommodations because of a disability, please let
me know during the first week of class to ensure that your needs are met.

Message from the Writing Center: The Writing Center (www.wpunj.edu/writing-center/) provides one-
on-one tutoring for any WPU student working on any kind of writing in any stage of development. We
work with students on writing issues such as outlining, thesis clarification, organization, style,
transitions, citing, and grammar, and we help them learn how to edit and proofread their own writing.
Our aim is not just to produce a better piece of writing; it’s to produce a better writer. Students can
make an appointment at https://wpunj.mywconline.com, or stop by Preakness, 1st floor, or VR 3048.
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CALENDAR (subject to change at instructor’s 3/6 The Hate U Give

discretion) 3/8 The Hate U Give

1/18 Introduction to course: SPRING BREAK

The "coming-of-age" novel;
adolescent development; 3/20 Salvage the Bones
what is YA literature? Reading Quiz 4
3/22 Research Day
1/23 Film: Cider House Rules
1/25 Cider House Rules 3/27 Salvage the Bones
MLA-style bibliography due
1/31 Cider House Rules 3/29 Salvage the Bones
2/2 American Son
Reading Quiz 1 4/3 Annie John
Reading Quiz 5
2/6 PRESENTATIONS BEGIN 4/5 Annie John
American Son
2/8 I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican 4/10 Film: The Namesake
Daughter 4/12 The Namesake
Reading Quiz 2
4/17 The Namesake
2/13 I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican 4/19 Turtles All the Way Down
Daughter Reading Quiz 6
2/15 I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican
Daughter 4/24 Turtles All the Way Down
Bibliography with annotations and
2/20 MIDTERM overview essay due
2/22 NO CLASS - MONDAY SCHEDULE 4/26 Turtles All the Way Down

2/27 The Hate U Give 5/1 Turtles All the Way Down
Reading Quiz 3 5/3 FINAL EXAM
3/1 The Hate U Give