Sherry LAE 4464

MyBookCASE – An Argument for English Curriculum

Purpose
• Understand the difference between Young Adult literature and the literature canon, as well
as the debate over what literature should be taught in English Language Arts
• Draw on your own experiences/course readings to articulate a position regarding this
curricular issue
Big Questions: What literature should be read by young adults? Why? How?

Process (note: these steps are guidelines for process, not product: see step 5 for how to synthesize steps
1-4)

1. Make a list of books you read as a young adult (age 12-18) that were important to you.

2. For each book on the list, reflect on why it was important to you (e.g., write a paragraph or two under
each title).

3. Generalize from your experience: as you look at these books together, what do they suggest about
what is important for young adults, and why?

4. Read the following four short pieces

(in the order below) about ELA curriculum:
a. http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1957/English-Education-PREPARATION-
TEACHERS.html
b. http://educationnext.org/e-d-hirsch-and-civic-education/
c. http://www.csun.edu/~krowlands/Content/Academic_Resources/Literature/Canon/Burke-
Canon%20fodder.pdf
d. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/v28n3/salvner.html

5. Pretend it is 20 years in the future and, like the author of the final piece, you are making an argument
about English curriculum (perhaps you’re speaking to teachers at a department meeting, addressing
the school board, or delivering a presentation at the NCTE conference). Use your own experience and
the readings to make a case for what literature should be taught in English Language Arts classes, and
why, using whatever medium and genre you choose (for example, you might write an essay, create a
slideshow, or record a speech).

Assessment
Criterion 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0
Compelling uses details/evidence thoroughly and specifically to make point(s)
Organized clearly arranges relevant details/evidence for audience
Readable selects an appropriate medium and suits conventions to the task
Complete completes assignment fully and on-time in a professional manner