State University of New York
Graduate School of Education
This is an ABBREVIATED SYLLABUS
SEE BLACKBOARD FOR COMPLETE SYLLABUS
LTRC 517 “Culturally Diverse Literature for Children and Adolescents”
Fall 2013
Professor: Dr. Karen Bromley kbromley@binghamton.edu
Office: AB-243F Tel.: 777-2301
Office Hours: By appt. Wed. & Thurs. 3:30-4:15
PM
Class: Thurs. 4:30-7:00 – Aug. 29- Dec. 5, 2013
Classroom: AB 124
Description: This course provides an overview of all genres of literature written for K-12
students with a focus on cultural diversity. Offered for classroom teachers, reading teachers and
special education teachers who wish to 1) develop an affective/aesthetic and cognitive/critical
response to literature, 2) increase competence in selecting and evaluating quality literature, 3)
develop knowledge of children's literature as a resource for teaching and learning, 4) connect
children's literature with developing digital technologies. (Fieldwork, 5 hrs. in an area library,
classroom &/or doing research for project).
Environment: The class atmosphere will be intellectually stimulating, safe and respectful. We
will honor and respect the opinions and feelings of others. Confidentiality and professionalism
are required.
Accommodations: If you are a student with a disability and need accommodations, please notify
me by the second week of class. You can also contact the Office of Services for Students with
Disabilities (SSD) at 777-2868 (LH-B51). This office makes recommendations about necessary
and appropriate accommodations based on specifically diagnosed disabilities and treats this
information confidentially.
Blackboard & Technology: Handouts are posted on Blackboard
http://blackboard.cc.binghamton.edu. You can email classmates and take part in discussions
there. You will need a BU ID to access BB and online journals from the library. You can print 50
pgs/week free in any campus computer pod.
Academic Honesty: All members of the BU community are responsible to maintain and foster
an atmosphere of academic integrity. This requires that all classroom, laboratory, and written
work for which a person claims credit is in fact that person’s own work. The annual university
Student Handbook publication has detailed information on academic integrity. BU has a license
with Turnitin.com for faculty review of potentially plagiarized papers and projects. “Students
assume responsibility for the content and integrity of the academic work they submit. Students
are in violation of academic honesty if they incorporate into their written or oral reports any
unacknowledged published or unpublished or oral material from the work of another
(plagiarism); or if they use, request, or give unauthorized assistance in any academic work
(cheating).” (GSE Academic Honesty Policies).
Plagiarism, cheating or unethical behavior such as handing in the same or slightly altered
assignment for two courses will not be tolerated. Incidents of these types will result in a failing
grade for the assignment/s in question, and will have a negative effect on the final grade. If you
have questions about what constitutes plagiarism, go to
http://writingcenter.binghamton.edu/handout.html.
Required Text: Wooten, C., & Cullinan, B. (2009). Children’s Literature the Reading Program.
Required Children’s Books: (RF=realistic fiction, HF=historical fiction, B=biography,
P=poetry, NF=non-fiction/information, F=Folktale, FAN=Fantasy). Choose another book by the
same author if you have already read the listed book. Books available in BU Bookstore, from
Amazon or in local libraries.
 Alexie, S. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. NY: Little Brown. RF
 Collins, S. (2008). The hunger games. FAN (OR--- the 2nd or 3rd book in the trilogy)
 Chaldenko, G. (2009). Al Capone shines my shoes. New York: Penguin. RF
 Curtis, C.P. (2000). Bud, not Buddy or Elijah of Buxton. (Newbery Runner UP)
Scholastic. HF
 Ellis, D. The breadwinner. RF/B (First in series)
 Fleischman, S. (2004). Joyful noise: Poems for two voices. (Newbery Medal) P (I’ll bring
copies).
 Grimes, N. (2001). Bronx masquerade. New York: Dial. (Coretta Scott King Award). RF
 Hiasson, C. (2002). Hoot. (Newbery Runner UP) RF (OR one of his other books)
 Lord, C. (2006). Rules. Scholastic. (Newbery Runner Up) RF
 McCormick, P. (2007). Sold. RF (National Book Award Finalist). (OR one of her other
books)
 Montgomery, S. (2010). Kakapo rescue: Saving the world’s strangest parrot.(Children’s
Book Guild Winner, 2010). NF OR Jimmy’s Joey by D.Rose National Geographic. (NF)
 Park, L.S. (2010). A long walk to water. New York: Clarion. RF
 Ryan, P. (2002). Esperanza rising. New York: Scholastic. HF
 Ryan, P. (2010). The dreamer. New York: Scholastic. BIO
 (Optional) Yang, G. L. (2007). American born Chinese (Award winning graphic novel)
RF/FAN
 (Optional) DiCamillo, Kate. (2001). Because of Winn Dixie. Candlewick. (Newbery
Honor) RF (OR Book of Choice)