PRINCE GEORGE'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Welcome to English 2230: Children’s Literature
Fall 2010
Course Reference #: LE01
INSTRUCTOR:
Ms. Sarah Gottschall
Department of English
OFFICE:
Marlboro 3054
PHONE NUMBERS:
(301) 322-0083 (office)
(301) 322-0561 (English Dept.)
EMAIL ADDRESS:
gottscSD@pgcc.edu
To facilitate email communication with me, please include
the following code: CCGP07 in either the subject or the
first line of any emails to me during the Fall 2010 semester.
(The code stops legitimate email messages from being
evaluated wrongly as SPAM but does not allow emails that
contain a virus or illegal attachment into our network.)
OFFICE HOURS:
T 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Additional time available by appointment
MEETING TIMES:
T 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
LOCATION:
Marlboro 3089
COURSE DESCRIPTION: A study of various genres in children’s literature with
focus on analysis of the content and quality of works from
nursery level through the elementary grades.
PREREQUISITES:
Composition II (EGL 1020, EGL 1100, EGL 1320, or EGL
1340)
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, a
student will be able to:
 Identify a wide variety of children’s books from various genres, acquainting them
with major writers, illustrators, critics and works, historical and contemporary.
 Explain the important literary criteria for evaluating a children’s book.
 Identify and explain literary terms.
 Write analytically about aspects of children’s books (including genre, illustration,
style, and content) with appropriate documentation.
In addition, students will become aware of some of the theoretical problems and issues in
the discipline of children’s literature today.
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REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Carol Lynch-Brown and Carl M. Tomlinson. Essentials of Children’s Literature. 6th
Edition.
REQUIRED TRADEBOOKS:
(available in the PGCC bookstore or at your local library)
Bridge to Terabithia. Paterson, Katherine. New York: Harper, 1977.
Charlotte’s Web. White, E.B. New York: Harper, 1952.
The Giver. Lowry, Lois. New York: Bantam, 1993.
Out of the Dust. Hesse, Karen. New York: Scholastic, Inc., 1997.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Taylor, Mildred D. New York: Puffin, 1976.
Speak. Anderson, Laurie Halse. New York: Puffin, 1999.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Rowling, J.K. New York: Scholastic, 1997.
GRADING CRITERIA:
In order to pass this course, you must participate actively and complete all of the written
work, including exams, essays, and journal assignments.
Assignment
Weight
Midterm Exam
100 points (10%)
Final Exam
100 points (10%)
Essay #1 (3-5 pages)
200 points (20%)
Essay #2 (6-8 pg., with research)
250 points (25%)
Research Paper Presentation
50 points (5%)
Ten Journal Assignments
100 points (10%)
Reading Quizzes (10 @ 10 pts. ea)
100 points (10%)
Participation (2 evaluations @ 50 pts. ea) 100 points (10%)
Total
1000 points (100%)
You will be evaluated twice on your participation, which includes attendance,
punctuality, and effort. (Please see description below.) Your first evaluation will occur at
the mid-point of the semester and will be worth 50 points; your second will occur at the
end of the semester and will be worth 50 points.
Written Work:
1. Two Formal Essays: You will write one literary analysis essay (3-5 typed pages),
and one research essay on an award-winning children’s writer (MLA formatted,
6-8 typed pages, with a minimum of five secondary sources).
2. Ten Journal Assignments: In addition to the formal essays, you will write a total
of ten short (1-2 pages) informal response papers to class readings or
discussions. Each response is worth ten points and is due at the beginning of the
class meeting. The purpose of the journals is to allow you to develop your ideas,
in writing, about what you have read before that day’s discussion. Therefore, you
may not make-up a journal entry. However, you have fifteen opportunities to
hand in a journal (see the Course Schedule for more details).
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What should you write about in these informal journal entries? You will notice
on the course schedule that I generally make specific suggestions and present
specific questions for you to answer. In addition, I would encourage you to
consider your own areas of interest regarding the reading. What caught your
attention? Did you find a particular character interesting (or charming, or
haunting, or infuriating)? How do you feel about the ending? Do you have any
questions or topics for discussion to share with the class?
DO NOT simply summarize the plot. I have read these books (many times!) and
do not need you to tell me what happened. Rather, I want to hear your reactions
to the reading. At times, I may ask you to read your response aloud, or to share
your work with one other class member, so keep in mind that you will have an
audience for these papers.
Journal assignments must be typed. Please keep all of your journal assignments in a
folder or small binder.
3. Quizzes: Throughout the semester, you will be given ten quizzes on the reading
for that class period. These quizzes may be announced or unannounced and are
intended to evaluate how well you have read and understood the reading materials.
To ensure that you perform satisfactorily on all quizzes, be sure to read all
assigned chapters and texts thoroughly.
4. Midterm and Final Exams: Both exams will consist of short identification
questions from our reading and discussions, as well as an essay portion.
Please Note: I will not allow make-up midterms (except under the most
extraordinary – and documented – circumstances) and I do not allow make-up finals
at all.
Submission of Assignments:
All assignments must be submitted at the beginning of class on the due date indicated.
All written work must be stapled or paper-clipped. Turning in a multiple-page essay or
assignment without a staple or paper clip will result in a 5 point reduction from that
assignment’s grade. There is a stapler available for your use in the English Department
Office (Marlboro 3072).
Please do not submit essays or assignments as email attachments unless specifically
asked to do so.
Late Work Policy: For essays I impose a penalty of one letter grade deduction per day
late. For example, a B+ essay that is one day late would receive a grade of C+. Please
note: I deduct points per day late, not per class period. So, for example, if you do not
hand in an essay due on a Tuesday until Thursday, you will lose two letter grades. Please
do not slide late work under my office door; instead, place it in my mailbox in the
English Department office (Marlboro 3072).
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I will not accept essays that are more than three days late.
I will not accept journal assignments late.
You may not make up missed in-class work without my consent.
Extensions:
I rarely grant extensions to students, but, in the event that you face verifiable extenuating
circumstances, I may allow you additional time to complete an assignment. Extensions
must be requested in writing no fewer than four days prior to the due date of the
assignment.
Revision:
You are encouraged to revise your writing. When you revise, you must:
1. Turn in the revision no later than one week after the essay was returned to you.
2. Write a cover letter for the revision. The cover letter, addressed to me, should
explain the changes you have made to the original essay.
I will not read a revised essay that is submitted without a cover letter.
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend all classes. If you miss more than one class, each
additional absence will result in a five point reduction from your final course grade. For
example, if your final grade is a 75 (C) but you missed three classes, your final grade
would drop to a 65 (D).
As per English Department policy, any student who misses one quarter or more of
the class sessions will automatically fail the course. Because this course meets 15
times, if you miss four or more classes you will receive an automatic F.
In the event that you must miss class, you should consult with your peers about what you
have missed. It is your responsibility to get any notes, handouts, assignments or readings
that may have been distributed in your absence.
If you face an unavoidable problem that affects your ability to come to class (such as an
extended illness or a family emergency), please see me as soon as possible.
Tardiness:
Late arrivals disrupt class instruction and therefore have a negative effect not only on the
late students, but on their classmates as well. For this reason, tardiness is not acceptable
in this class. Three tardies will be considered equivalent to one absence. If you are more
than 20 minutes late for class, you are considered absent.
Further, when we have quizzes or in-class writing assignments, they will be given during
the beginning of the class; if you arrive late, you may not have enough time to do your
best work, or you may miss the assignment entirely. You will not be given additional
time to finish, nor will you be allowed to make up the assignment.
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A Statement on Civility at Prince George’s Community College:
To promote a community of scholarship and civility, everyone at Prince George’s
Community College is expected to be respectful, tolerant and courteous towards others at
all times, adhere to college policies and procedures, and respect college property.
Creating a culture of civility both inside and outside the classroom is everyone’s
responsibility.
Participation:
Our classroom is an educational community, and you are an important member of this
community. As such, you have a responsibility to contribute to the learning experiences
of your classmates by sharing your ideas, questions and insights. Because class
participation is a vital aspect of this course, you will be evaluated on the effectiveness of
your class participation (10% of your final grade).
Effective class participation begins with preparation: In addition to completing all
homework and reading assignments, you should come to class with comments and
questions about the texts at hand. As you read, underline important passages and jot
comments in the margins. Then, after reading, take time to reflect on what you have read:
Summarize your views of the ideas presented, consider any connections you may see
between this reading and our prior discussions, and prepare questions for the instructor
and your classmates. Further, effective class participation entails listening attentively to
other students, sharing your ideas both orally and in writing, and posing thoughtful
questions during class discussion.
Lastly, though it may seem obvious, I feel compelled to state this: In order to participate
effectively, you must be present in the classroom. Therefore, to receive the highest scores
for participation, you must consistently arrive on time to class and miss no more than two
class sessions.
Conferences:
I encourage you to meet with me often. You may meet with me to address specific
questions about the material covered in class, to check on your grade, to receive help on a
written assignment, or simply to chat. You are free to stop by during the designated office
hours, or, if this time is not convenient for you, you may make an appointment with me.
In addition, if you are unable to come to my office during office hours, you may make an
appointment for a phone conference. However, you must take the initiative: When you
set up a phone conference, you must give me a copy of any paper or work you wish to
discuss and call me at the designated time.
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Students requesting academic accommodations are required to contact the Disability Support Services
Office (Bladen-124) or call (301) 322-0838 (voice) or (301) 322-0122 (TTY) to establish eligibility for
services and accommodations. Students with documented disabilities should discuss the matter privately
with their instructors at the beginning of the semester and provide a copy of their Student/Faculty
Accommodation Form.
CODE OF CONDUCT
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The Prince George's Community College Code of Conduct defines the rights and responsibilities of
students and establishes a system of procedures for dealing with students charged with violations of the
code and other rules and regulations of the college. A student enrolling in the college assumes an obligation
to conduct himself/herself in a manner compatible with the college's function as an educational institution.
Refer to the 2010-2011 Student Handbook for a complete explanation of the Code of Conduct, including
the Code of Academic Integrity and the procedure for dealing with disruptive student behavior.
CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The college is an institution of higher learning that holds academic integrity as its highest principle. In the
pursuit of knowledge, the college community expects that all students, faculty, and staff will share
responsibility for adhering to the values of honesty and unquestionable integrity. To support a community
committed to academic achievement and scholarship, the Code of Academic Integrity advances the
principle of honest representation in the work that is produced by students seeking to engage fully in the
learning process. The complete text of the Code of Academic Integrity is in the 2010-2011 Student
Handbook and posted on the college's website.
A few additional words about plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a serious offense regardless of whether or not it is intentional and carries
significant penalties. Consequences range from an automatic 0 on the assignment to an
F* for the course. An F* indicates a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity and
remains on the student’s transcript.
Please note: It is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that you understand the
definition of plagiarism and how to conduct yourself with academic honesty. If you have
questions, please see me.
In addition, I suggest you use the following resources to ensure that you have a thorough
understanding of plagiarism:
University of Maryland University College Plagiarism Tutorial
http://www.umuc.edu/ewc/tutorial/intro.shtml
Indiana University Bloomington Plagiarism Tutorial
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
Classroom Policies:
I expect each member of our classroom community to contribute in meaningful ways and
to refrain from distracting behavior. I trust you to use your best judgment regarding
proper student behavior, but consider the following reminders:
 Inappropriate conversation, lack of preparation and disruptive behavior are
unacceptable and will affect your grade.

Take care of all personal needs before entering the classroom. You are expected
to remain in the room throughout the class.

Beverages in covered containers are permitted; food is not.
A few reminders about cell phones:
 Cell phones should be silenced when you enter the classroom.
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
Do not text message during class time. Text messaging during class – even once –
will result in a ten point reduction in your participation grade.

If you face an emergency situation that requires you to check a message during
class time, please see me before class starts.

If your cell phone use poses a distraction, you will be given one warning before I
write up a disciplinary referral.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Aug. 30
Mon.
Sept. 4–6
Sept. 7
Sept. 8
Sept. 15
Sept. 24
Sat.–Mon.
Tues.
Wed.
Wed.
Fri.
Oct. 26
Tues.
Nov. 19
Nov. 22
Fri.
Mon.
Nov. 24
Nov. 25–28
Nov. 29
Wed.
Thurs.–Sun.
Mon.
Dec. 1
Dec. 2
Dec. 9
Wed.
Thurs.
Thurs.
Dec. 10–16
Dec. 22–Jan. 4
Jan. 24
Fri.–Thurs.
Wed.–Tues.
Mon.
Classes begin for fall 2010, except for Laurel
College Center
COLLEGE CLOSED—Labor Day
Classes begin at Laurel College Center
Refund deadline for full semester classes
Last day to apply for fall graduation
Last day to change from “audit” to “credit” or “
credit“ to “audit.”
COLLEGE CLOSED—College Enrichment
Day-No classes, except Laurel College Center
Last day to withdraw from full semester classes
Advance registration for Spring 2011 semester
begins
College Open; No Classes
COLLEGE CLOSED—Thanksgiving Break
College reopens; Advance registration for spring
2011 resumes
Advance registration for spring 2011 ends
Begin open registration for spring 2011 semester
Last day of regular classes for the fall 2010
semester
Final examination period/last week of classes
COLLEGE CLOSED—Winter break
Spring 2011 semester begins
Delayed College Openings:
When the College announces a delayed opening, all classes with at least 45 minutes of
class time remaining at the time of the opening will be held. For example, in the event of
a 10 a.m. opening, a 9:30-10:45 a.m. class will be held. This procedure applies to all
credit classes.
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Computer and Learning Labs
Office
Location
Phone
Hours of Operation
Learning Lab
Marlboro Hall
Room 2129
301-322-0503
Mon.-Thurs.: 8 am – 9 pm
Fri.: 8 am – 4 pm
Sat.: 8:30 am – 3 pm
Sun.: 10 am – 1 pm
Open Computer Lab
Bladen Hall
Room 104
301-322-0999
Mon.-Thurs.: 8 am – 10 pm
Fri.: 8 am – 5 pm
Sat.: 9 am – 5 pm
Sun.: Closed
Other Resources, Services, and Academic Support
Library
Location: Accokeek Hall
Phone: (301) 322-0475
www.pgcc.edu/library
Hours:
Mon-Thurs.: 8:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.; Fri.: 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.; Sat.: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tutoring and Writing Centers
www.pgcc.edu/students/tutoring_writing_grammar
Location: Bladen Hall Room 107 Phone: (301) 322-0748
Hours:
Mon-Thurs.: 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Fri.: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Sat.: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
How to Log in to Blackboard:
Blackboard is a web-based program that serves as the college’s online classroom. You
will use Blackboard to communicate with your instructor, to see your course materials, to
submit assignments, and to discuss course ideas with your classmates.
To log in to your Blackboard course, please follow these steps:

Go to the Prince George's Community College Blackboard website which is
located at http://pgcconline.blackboard.com. NOTE: There is no “www” in the
Blackboard address.
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
ALL STUDENTS must log in to Blackboard using their Owl Link account.

If you do not have an Owl Link account,
1. Go to the Owl Link website (www.pgcc.edu  Click "Quicklinks"  Select
"Owl Link")
2. Look up your Owl Link User ID
o Under User Accounts, select "What's My User ID"
3. Reset your Owl Link password
o Under User Accounts, select, "What's My
Password"
Note: You MUST have a valid email address on file with Admissions and Records to
reset your Owl Link password. If you do not, please contact the eLearning Center:
eLearning@pgcc.edu or 301-322-0463.

Check your email to receive your password.

Once you have your Owl Link account information, type it in the Blackboard
login box at http://pgcconline.blackboard.com.

If your login is successful, you will see the Blackboard “Welcome” screen. In
the box labeled “My Courses”, you will see the course or a list of courses in
which you are enrolled. Click on the course name to enter your Blackboard
course.
Need help?
 Need technical assistance? Visit the Distance Learning website at
http://www.pgcconline.com

Missed the Campus Orientation? View the Online Orientation at
http://www.pgcconline.com/aboutOnlineLearning/orientation.html

Other questions? E-mail eLearning@pgcc.edu