Syllabus for Children's Literature

1. WELCOME TO CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
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[Your picture
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What is Children’s Literature all about?
This course introduces students to the major genres of literature for young people such as folklore, illustrated
works, and short novels. Students will read a variety of works from different eras and study ways children’s
literature and the understanding of childhood have developed.
English 1 is a prerequisite of this course, so it is assumed that you begin the semester with college-level
reading and writing skills. After completing the course with a C or better, you will have significant experience
in these areas:
1. Analyzing the major cultural, historical, and literary conditions that have shaped literature for young
people.
2. Identifying the major characteristics and concerns of the major genres of literature for young people
3. Analyzing the major issues and controversies in children’s literature
4. Understanding children as readers from a variety of perspectives
5. Reading, analyzing, and evaluating children’s literature orally and in writing
Who is my teacher?
Hi! My name is Tara Ptasnik, and I am looking forward to reading and
writing with you this semester. As your instructor, I intend to treat you,
this class, and myself with the respect necessary for us all to learn
together. I will try to respect your time by communicating with you
clearly and promptly about the course and answering your questions
promptly in person, via email, or over the phone. I will also respect your
learning style by being available for meetings outside of class at a variety
of flexible times.
Tara Ptasnik
puh-TAZZ-nik
pronouns: she, her, hers
Office:
Truax C3446
Phone:
608-246-6507
Email:
tptasnik@madisoncollege.edu
Office Hours: Wednesday 9-10
and many other times -- just ask.
Writing Center hours: Thursday
and Friday 10-12
What are my responsibilities as a student?
As a student in this class,
you have the
opportunity to learn
a great deal about
reading, researching,
and writing. To get the
most out of this class, I
urge you to
Respect yourself
by taking
responsibility for
your own learning
and setting high
standards for your
work.
Respect the
educational
environment by
being prepared and
participating
enthusiastically
during class.
Respect your
classmates and me
by treating others
politely and acting
responsibly and
reliably in group
work
Section 32221 Monday and Wednesday 2:30-3:45 Truax D3641

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What will we read, discuss, and write about?
Unit One: Fairy Tales
The oldest form of literature, for children or adults, was originally spoken, not
written. These tales taught societal values and helped listeners express deep
fears and desires through generations. You will be surprised, shocked, and
maybe even scared at what really happens to Little Red Riding Hood.
Unit Two: Classic and Historical Children’s Literature
Some children's books are considered classics-- timeless and universal. We will
read Charlotte's Web to help us define a “classic.” In other words, what is
“good”? What are the elements of excellent children’s literature? We will also
look at trends in childhood and literature in the past, using texts such as The
New England Primer, and examine how childhood and children's literature has
changed.
Unit Three: Picture Books
When we think of children’s literature, we do often think of picture books.
Many of our beloved books from childhood are picture books. However, this
close association with childhood also gives picture books a reputation as being
simple. We will use Where the Wild Things Are to disprove this stereotype.
Unit Four: Young Adult Literature
The idea that teenagers do-- or should-- have literature written just for them is
a fairly new idea. However, it is currently exploding with new authors,
innovative literature, and challenging ideas about authors, readers, and
subjects. We will read Speak for some insight.
Content Warning: Some of these texts deal with difficult subjects that some
students might find disturbing. I will do my best to mention these topics and
texts ahead of time. Please contact me if you would like to discuss in detail.
How will my grade be determined?
In order to receive a passing grade for the course, all major assignments must be completed.
Assignments
Unit 1 Project 15% Exam 1 10% Semester Project 15%
Unit 3 Project 15% Exam 2 10% Assignments 30%
Participation 5%
What is the grading scale?
Grade Points Grade Points Grade Points
A 92-100 B 82-87 C 70-77
AB 88-91 BC 78-81 D 62-69
F 62 and below

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Six things you
can do to be
successful
Attend class regularly, prepared and ready to
learn:
Because studies show that students who regularly
attend classes possess a greater understanding of
course material and perform better, it is very
important for you to attend each class meeting
on time. I give graded assignments in class, often
at the beginning of the period, and an absence or
tardy arrival may result in a missed assignment
that cannot be made up. Thus, consistent
absences or late arrivals will negatively affect
your participation grade.
If you miss two classes in a row, you must meet
privately with me to create an attendance plan
before you participate in graded in-class work
and before I evaluate any ungraded assignments.
Any time you know you will be absent, contact
your instructor ahead of time and check
Blackboard for announcements. It is always your
responsibility to make up work missed.
Access Blackboard
regularly:
I make a serious effort to
post all necessary and useful
information on Blackboard.
Outside of class time, I post
announcements,
assignments, reading
materials, and helpful advice.
You will find it greatly to
your benefit to check
Blackboard and explore the
resources there at least three
times a week. When you are
confused or lost, there will
likely be an answer on
Blackboard.
Access your student email
regularly:
You are responsible for
monitoring your student e-mail
account. When sending an email
to your instructor, please make
sure that your name, class, and
section are labeled clearly. If you
email a document to your
instructor, save your attachment
in a Word format (*.doc or
*.docx), Portable Document
(*.pdf), or Rich Text Format
(*.rtf). I do my best to check and
answer student email regularly,
and I can do this most helpfully
for you when your messages are
clear and professional.
Complete your work with
integrity:
Academic integrity is an
expectation in all Madison College
classes. Plagiarism and cheating are
prohibited. Plagiarism is defined
as passing of another person’s
work as your own. In this class, I
have a zero-tolerance policy about
plagiarism. Plagiarized work will
earn a zero, and a zero on a major
assignment will affect the semester
grade significantly.
Work with technology effectively:
I strongly suggest you have multiple
means of composing, saving, and
printing your work. Save all work in
several locations, and also consider
printing a backup copy. Computer
difficulties are not a long-term
excuse for non-participation, but do
let me know if technology
difficulties are impeding your work.
See the Helpful Resources section of
the syllabus or Blackboard for
information about free resources
and the Student Help Desk, where
experts can help you with
technology difficulties.
Cell phone use can be helpful or
disruptive. Please keep your cell
phone use to a minimum and
comply cheerfully if the instructor
asks you to discontinue use.
Submit work on time:
All assignments are due at
the beginning of class.
Assignments (except in-class
work) may be turned in up to
one week late and will lose
one letter grade. A grade of a
zero will be assigned for any
assignments that are not
turned in.
No make-up exams will be
given.

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Where can I get help when I need it?
Your instructor: I care a great deal about the success of every student,
and I want to help you. Helping you in or out of class is never a
burden or a bother. If you’re thinking of withdrawing, discuss your
progress with me first. We might be able to find a way for you to be
successful in the class. Please contact me as often as you wish with
questions and feedback.
Your classmates: No one in this class has to do this alone—help each
other. Research shows that you can increase your chances of success
in a class simply by exchanging contact information with another
student on day one. It’s that easy! Trade cell numbers and email
addresses with a few people and chat about assignments outside of
class. Be each other’s support system.
According to its Web site, “The Writing Center’s primary mission is to
help members of the Madison College community become more
effective, confident, and successful writers.” I strongly suggest
everyone plan to use the Writing Center’s services regularly. Hours,
location, and instructions for appointments can be found by visiting
its Web site or calling (608) 243-4289.
The Student Computer Help Desk is located in the Truax Campus
Library Room A3000. Student lab assistants are available often until
late in the evening in person, and by phone, (608) 243-4444; toll-free
at (866) 277-4445; by email at https://madisoncollege.edu/student-
computer-help to provide computer support. In addition, students
can call an after-hours help desk until 10pm most days at (608) 246-
6666.
According to their Web site, “Our libraries are staffed
with librarians and talented student help to provide the services and
reference assistance you need for academic success. Madison
College Libraries offers traditional on-site services, but also provides
24/7 access to many resources and services online through our
comprehensive library web page.”
If you feel you may qualify for accommodations due to a disability,
please contact Disability Resources Services at 246-6716 (Students
who are deaf via Relay 711), room 159 at Truax or email
drs@madisoncollege.edu It is best to request accommodations at the
beginning if not before class so there is ample time to make the
accommodations.

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Unit Date Do Before Class
Course
Introduction
September 4
and 9
Post to the BB introduction discussion and the career wiki. Complete
literature memories worksheet and bring to class.
Unit 1: Fairy
Tales
September 11
and 16
Read Perrault's "Little Red Riding Hood," Grimm's "Little Red Cap,”
and “The Story of Grandmother.” Read scholarly background
selections on Blackboard, respond in a reading log entry, and post to
Blackboard. Begin work on Unit 1 project.
Read Grimm’s “The Frog King,” Perrault’s “The Sleeping Beauty in
the Wood,” Grimm's "Cinderella," Perrault's "Bluebeard," and
Grimm's "Hansel and Gretel." Respond in a reading log entry and
post to Blackboard.
September 18,
23, and 25
Read a selection of international tales, such as “The Tale of the Tiger
Woman,” “The Enchanted Frog,” Basile’s "The Young Slave," "Yeh-
hsien," and Afanasev’s “Vasilisa the Fair.” Other options will be
given in class. Respond in a reading log entry, and post to
Blackboard.
Complete Unit 1 presentation and project.
Read Grimm's "Snow White" and watch the Disney film if you can.
Half of the class will read Gilbert and Gubar's "Snow White and Her
Wicked Stepmother" and half of the class will read Zipes’ “Breaking
the Disney Spell” (you can start on page 425)
Respond in a reading log entry, and post to Blackboard.
Unit 2: Classic
and Historical
Children’s
Literature
September 30,
October 2, 7,
9, 14, 16, 21,
23
Read selections from scholarly background, New England Primer, and
Charlotte’s Web and respond in reading logs.
Exam 1 October 28 Study for exam.
Unit 3: Picture
Books
October 30,
and November
4, 6, 11, 13, 18,
and 20
Read selections from scholarly background and Where the Wild Things
Are and respond in reading logs. Complete Unit 3 project.
Unit 4: Young
Adult Literature
November 25,
27, December
2, 4, 9
Read young adult literature articles provided by instructor and
Anderson's Speak and respond in reading logs.
Project
presentations
December 11
Complete semester project and prepare to present to class and
submit to instructor
Exam 2
December 16
1:30-3:20
Study for exam. Exam period will be held in Truax C2444.