COURSE COMMUNICATION

Instructor Contact

Leila Easa:

• Email: leasa@ccsf.edu

• CCSF Phone: 415-452-7205

• Office Hours: Mondays, 10 a.m.-noon or by appointment

• Office Location: Batmale 370

• I will respond to all course email within 24 hours Monday-Friday, exclusive of school holidays. Once the course begins, I prefer to get messages through the Canvas "Inbox".

Communication Plan

• I will respond to your messages within 24 hours during the work week (Monday-Friday) excluding holidays or times when you are notified otherwise.

• Your work will be reviewed and I will comment on it within 3-5 business days of the due date unless you are informed otherwise.

• I will participate in the weekly discussions, but will not respond to each individual student every week. My role will be to summarize, clarify, and highlight.

• If you do not log in to the course, I will contact you to remind you to come back to the course. Students who keep up with the course from the beginning and more likely to succeed.

Building Community

The heart of this class is the discussion forum. Each week you and your classmates will analyze and discuss the issues that come up in the material this week. Each time this class is offered, I am humbled by the thoughtfulness of all of you, your posts, and your responses to each other inform my understanding of the topics. We learn from each other, from our varied experiences, from our different world views. I look forward to participating in discussions with you.

Instructor Announcements

I will post announcements on the “Instructor Announcements” page in Canvas throughout the semester. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences as soon as the instructor creates an Announcement.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

With an emphasis on reading, we’ll explore children's and young adult literature from fairy tales and picture books to vampires and witches. As we read work for the youngest child through the oldest teenager, we’ll also explore the social construction of the experience of youth and the meaning of "childhood” in our culture and beyond.

Student Learning Outcomes:

English 54

Outcome 1: Distinguish and describe conventions of children's and young adult literature as distinct from those of other literary genres.

Outcome 2: Interpret children's and young adult literature, using tools of literary analysis.

Outcome 3: Analyze the historical and social contexts that shape children's and young adult literature.

Outcome 4: Integrate textual evidence and literary criticism.

Required Textbooks:

Fantasy: Nnedi Okorafor, Akata Witch, 9780142420911

Heath & Disability: John Green, Fault in Our Stars, 9780142424179

Gothic/Horror: Holly Black, Coldest Girl in Coldtown, 9780316213097

Middle Grade/We Need Diverse Books: Ellen Oh, Flying Lessons & Other Stories, 9781101934623

YA/We Need Diverse Books: Lamar Giles, Fresh Ink, 9781524766313

LGBQT: Adiba Jaigirdar, Henna Wars, 9781624149689

All other readings will be provided online.

A Note on Content:

Not every topic we will discuss in class will feel immediately easy or safe. Feeling some tension is natural, but please treat the conversation as a learning experience and an opportunity to practice how to talk about controversial issues with people who might have differing perspectives.

On Respect:

I understand that students represent a rich diversity of backgrounds and perspectives. City College of San Francisco is committed to providing an atmosphere for learning that respects diversity. While working together to build this community I request all student members to:

1. Share their unique experiences, values and beliefs

2. Value each other’s opinions and communicate in a respectful manner

3. Be open to the views of others

4. Honor the uniqueness of peers

5. Appreciate the opportunity that we have to learn from each other in this community

COURSE LOGISTICS & TECHNOLOGY

Important Dates:

• Day Class Begins: 1/31/2022

• Day Class Ends: 5/25/2022

• Last Day to Add: 2/17/2002

• Last Day to Drop with refund: 2/9/2022

• Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol: 2/17/2022

• Last Day to Drop with a W: 4/28/2022

• Final Exam Date: Final exams will be taken online during week 13; final papers will be collected on the final day of the semester, May 25th

Dropping the Class:

If you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it to avoid getting no refund (after 10% of course length), a W symbol (after 20%), or a grade (after 60%). Also, for several consecutive, unexplained absences, the instructor may drop a student.

Pass‐NoPass (P/NP):

You may take this class P/NP. You must decide before the deadline of 4/28/2022, and add the option online with WEB4 or file the P/NP form with Admissions and Records. With a grade of C or better, you will get P. Once you decide to go for P/NP, you cannot change back to a letter grade. If you are taking this course as part of a certificate program, you can probably still take the class P/NP. Check with a counselor to be sure.

Drop Policy:

To be counted as "enrolled" at the start of the course, students must complete "Module 1" no later than one week after the course opens. This module includes a questionnaire, a reading assignment, a quiz, and a personal introductory post. Following the start of the course, students who have been inactive one complete week will be contacted. Students who do not resume interaction within 48 hours following contact will be dropped from the class.

Late Policy:

Online classes are not self-paced, and they require exceptional time management. This course is organized by due dates designed to help keep you on task and maximize your learning. Please pay close attention to all deadlines and build in extra time in case of technical difficulties which often arise.

I welcome you to reach out to me should you face challenges submitting work on time. In general, I am willing to work with you on some penalty-free extensions for some assignments if you ask in advance.

Otherwise, here are my policies on late work by category of assignment:

• Homework assignments will generally be due Tuesday by 11 p.m. or Thursday by 11 p.m. I will accept homework up to three days late for a 50% reduction in points. After three days, no additional late work will be accepted.

• Collaborative assignments--i.e., forum posts and replies, group presentations, or any assignments that require another student to collaborate with you or respond to your work--cannot be accepted late. Please be considerate to your fellow students and ensure you engage in forum discussions and complete assignments on time so everyone has a chance to receive feedback.

• Exams—The midterm and final exams may not be submitted late.

Your Responsibilities:

To successfully complete this 3-unit course in the 16 week City Online term, you will be expected to spend at least 10 hours per week on classwork (including reading, writing, and working in the Canvas module). Please note that this course is not self-paced—there will be weekly deadline cycles Tuesday and Thursday of each week, plus extra deadlines on special weeks.

Class Participation and "Book Clubs"

Class participation is a required and necessary part of the work we will do together. Once book clubs form, taking an active role in your group’s exploration of its book will be critical for the success of the final segment of the semester.

Discussion Posts:

Each week you will have 1-2 discussions to participate in that focus on that module's reading assignment and/or larger theme. Your posts may be about what you liked and didn’t like or it may be about themes you see emerging or connections to other texts—in other words, anything that helps you process the reading in community with your peers.

Text Presentations:

During week one, you will sign up for a text presentation slot. When you present, please identify major themes you see in the reading and model a careful reading of at least one quote. Feel free to look up critical sources to support your ideas.

Favorite Book "Show and Tells":

Twice during the semester (once for children’s literature and once for Young Adult literature) you will bring a favorite book to the discussion to present on it. Tell us what you like about it—sell it! Maybe you’ll make some readers out of your classmates or maybe you’ll convince me to add it to the book club list.

Online Learning:

Online learning can be challenging…and it might not be for everyone. Successful online students have excellent time management skills and are highly self-motivated. I know this firsthand, as I tried to take the CCSF “teaching online” course in the fall of 2018—and found I didn’t have enough time. I had to retake it in spring, when I could commit enough time to the material.

Here are some introductory resources to help you explore the possibility of online learning:

• Introduction to Online Learning

• (Links to an external site.)

• (12-minute video tutorial)

• What Makes a Successful Online Learner?

• (Links to an external site.)

• (Tips for success and what to expect)

• CCSF's Succeeding in Online Classes

• (Links to an external site.)

• (More tips with a CCSF focus)

Canvas:

Students will use the Canvas Learning Management system [for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, viewing classmates' work, sharing resources, and viewing grades]. I can help with the course material and with some Canvas issues. But, if you need help uploading an assignment or with the mechanics of Canvas, Canvas help is the number to call.

For 24/7 help with Canvas call: 1-844-592-2198.

GRADING

Methods of Evaluation:

Your grade will be based on the work that you submit during the semester as follows:

• Participation/Collaboration: 15% (150 points based in part on your reflection)

• Regular module reading-based discussion posts: 14% (140 points)

• Special discussion posts: Check-in discussion, Favorite book “show and tells” x 2, "Write a fairy tale," "Saying goodbye": 5% (5 x 10 points = 50)

• Essay One: 3-5 page "close reading" or creative writing piece + justification: 10% (100 points)

• Individual presentation of a text: 6% (60 points)

• Midterm “exam”: 10% (100 points)

• Book Club group presentations: 10% (90 points presentations + 10 points reflection)

• Final "exam": 10% (100 points)

• Essay Two: 4-6 page "research" paper (using 2-3 sources) or creative writing piece + justification that uses as least 2 sources: 20% (200 points)

Total: 1,000 points

Feedback & Grading:

In terms of feedback, generally speaking, discussion posts, presentations, and other small work will be given full points if they are submitted on time and according to the guidelines.

Your essays and exams will receive a letter grade based on where they fall on the rubric that I will provide in advance.

Grading Policy:

Visit the “Grades” in Canvas to keep track of your grades. I grade weekly and post grades and comments on the online Canvas grade book.

Grades will be assigned as follows:

A: 90% (900 points or more)

B: 80% (800 to 899 points)

C: 70% (700 to 799 points)

D: 60% (600 to 699 points)

F or FW: <60%

SEE NOTES BELOW

If taking Pass/No Pass you need at least 70% of the total class points and complete the midterm exam and the final exam to pass the class.

An “F” grade indicates that a student attended, participated and completed the course but failed to master the course curriculum.

An “FW” grade indicates the student stopped attending a course after the “last day to withdraw” deadline and subsequently did not submit any work or participate in any exams. Please check with your counselor and financial aid advisor for possible implications of the FW grade on residency and financial aid status.

ACCOMMODATIONS

For academic accommodations, please contact the Disabled Students Programs and Services [Ocean Campus Room R323, (415) 452-5481], and be sure to speak with me at the beginning of the semester about your needs.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

Students who register in CCSF classes are required to abide by the CCSF Student Code of Conduct. Violation of the code is basis for referral to the Student Conduct Coordinator or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Office of Student Affairs.

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. I encourage students to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:

• Handout on Plagiarism from our Library

• Encourage Academic Integrity and Prevent Plagiarism

• Citing Information Sources

EXPECTATIONS

Student Expectations

You will succeed in this course if you meet the following expectations:

• Complete the assigned activities. Please let me know as soon as you can concerning difficulties that you may have in getting assignments in on time.

• Complete the discussion posts and replies within the given window of time. Our discussions are much more vibrant when we all participate!

• Complete the weekly responses and other assignments and writing projects on time.

• Think critically about the weekly topics. Is something surprising? Is it new to you? How does it contrast with what you know about XYZ or how does it compare to ABC?

• Do your own and your best work.

Instructor Expectations

Here is what you can expect of me:

• I will respond to your email or message within 24 hours during the week, unless I inform you otherwise.

• I will treat you and your ideas with respect.

• I will grade your work most often within 3-5 business days. (If you have posted late work, it may take longer.)

• You will see your grades in the Canvas Grade book.

• I will work hard to make this a great class.