LIB 532: Multicultural Children's & Young Adult Literature, K-12 (3 cr)

COURSE
DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this course is to expose students to a variety of multicultural children's and young adult literature. Students will read a variety of literature across cultures found within the United States and across multiple grade levels.

PREREQUISITES

There are no required prerequisites for this course. However, learners are assumed to be teachers with access to K-12 students.

COURSE
STRUCTURE

Readings from textbook and Internet with postings to discussion board; classroom-based assignments for K-12 students; culminating project.

STANDARDS

This course supports the following International Reading Association's 2010 revised Standards for Reading Professionals:

1.1	Candidates understand major theories and empirical research that describe the cognitive, linguistic, motivational, and sociocultural foundations of reading and writing development, processes, and components, including word recognition, language comprehension, strategic knowledge, and reading-writing connections.
1.2	Candidates understand the historically shared knowledge of the profession and changes over time in the perceptions of reading and writing development, processes, and components.
1.3	Candidates understand the role of professional judgment and practical knowledge for improving all students' reading development and achievement.
2.3	Candidates use a wide range of texts (e.g., narrative, expository, and poetry) from traditional print, digital, and online resources.
4.1	Candidates recognize, understand, and value the forms of diversity that exist in society and their importance in learning to read and write.

PRACTICAL
APPLICATIONS

Students will

Gain awareness of multicultural children's literature through reading a variety of multicultural literature and devaluating the portrayal of various cultures within the United States
Make connections between significant historical/social events and multicultural literature
Critically analyze multicultural literature for accuracy, authenticity, and quality
Develop a lesson and/or unit using multicultural children's literature

CORE/ELECTIVE

This graduate course can be used as 3 elective credits in the Literature thematic area in the 24-credit Reading Endorsement program, the 12-credit Literary Education program, or for individual professional development. Please consult an advisor at your home institution about adding this course to your program.

INSTRUCTOR

Leigh Ann Morlock, adjunct faculty, Portland State University. Coordinating Librarian for Improving Literacy through School Libraries federal grant; high school language arts teacher and district library media specialist for 4 years. (BA, Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA; MAT, Chatham College, Pittsburgh; MS in Educational Media/Librarianship, Portland State University)

TARGET
AUDIENCE

K-12 teachers interested in using multicultural literature in the classroom to strengthen motivation and connections and to expand student knowledge and perspectives.

TIME
COMMITMENT

Approximately 90 total hours in course-related activities (e.g., reading the text and course materials, posting to discussion forums, completing written assignments). This course is online and does not require in-person attendance. Assignments are completed on the learner's time schedule and are due as posted.

TEXTBOOK

A textbook is required for this course. Please check with PSU's ReadOregon program.

COST

No course in the ReadOregon curriculum will cost more than $359 per credit, including all fees, for students in the ReadOregon program.

CONTACT

For more details on this course, please contact Leigh Ann Morlock.