Course Syllabus

Independent Study in Idaho

ISI Website | indepst@uidaho.edu | 208-885-6641

LIBS 4310 Adolescent Literature for Teacher Librarians

COURSE FORMAT: Independent Study in Idaho (Self-Paced)

SPONSOR INSTITUTION: University of Idaho

COURSE AVAILABILITY: 365 Days

CREDITS: 3

Instructor Information

Course Instructor: Diane Prorak

  • Email: prorak@uidaho.edu
  • Copy the ISI office at indepst@uidaho.edu on all communications. 

Diane Prorak, MLIS, is a retired reference and instruction librarian and current associate professor emeritus at the University of Idaho. She coordinated the University of Idaho Library’s information literacy program and taught many college level information literacy sessions, as well as some to visiting high schools.

Course Description

This course will develop students’ knowledge of adolescent literature as it pertains to Teacher Librarians, with a focus on youth grades 6-12. It emphasizes the skills and discernment necessary for the Teacher Librarian to effectively serve adolescents. Evaluation tools for selecting literature and electronic resources will be covered, and issues relating to materials selection and promotion for the secondary school library will be explored.

This course will introduce you to concepts, categories, and example books of young adult (YA) literature. There are readings from the textbook and from the current library literature. In each lesson, you will answer questions and provide responses based on the readings. All questions should be answered in a short answer/essay format. In addition, you will be required to read sixteen young adult books, representing the various categories discussed in the lessons, and write annotations of these books. The compiled annotations will take the place of midterm and final exams.

Prerequisites: LIBS 4130, LIBS 4140, libs 4180; or permission

Corequisites: LIBS 4330

Course Learning Outcomes

This course will develop students’ basic knowledge and understanding of the field of young adult (YA) literature, particularly as it pertains to librarians, with a focus on children ages 12–18. The course will further emphasize skills, tools, and insights necessary for effective professional librarianship in the area of services to young adults, including but not limited to:

  • knowledge of the bibliographic tools and review media in the discipline;
  • development of critical skills in evaluation of young adult literature; and
  • knowledge of the basic genres of young adult literature, including authors, works, and illustrators

Required Materials

  • Bucher, Katherine and Hinton, KaaVonia. Young Adult Literature: Exploration, Evaluation, and Appreciation. New York: Pearson, 2013 ISBN(s): 978-0133066791
  • Electronically accessible articles listed and linked in the individual lessons from the "Readings" document.

You will need to get a library access barcode to do this. (For information about barcode access to the University of Idaho Library online readings and databases, see University of Idaho Library Access and Lesson 1 in this course guide.)

Course Rules and Requirements

Assignment Guidelines

  • Students may submit up to 3 assignments at once. Students may submit up to 3 assignments in one week.
  • Submit Lesson 1 and wait for feedback before completing any subsequent assignments. After Lesson 1, you may submit up to three lessons at once, but you should wait for feedback before submitting the next three lessons.
  • Keep a copy of every assignment submitted. Write your name and V Number on every submission.
  • Lesson filenames should have Course #, lesson number and student’s last name.
  • You will typically receive graded lesson responses within 1-2 weeks after the date of receipt by the instructor.
  • Other Lesson Guidelines:
    • Sources used should be cited using MLA format, especially outside sources.
    • Answers should be thorough and written in full sentences, paying attention to spelling and grammar.
    • Answers should not be copied from any source, unless credit is given appropriately (quotes indicated and source cited).
    • AI Policy (see below)

Annotations 

In lieu of proctored exams, you will be completing extensive annotations of young adult (YA) books. Detailed instructions for the annotations are included in Lesson 1. The first set of annotations is due after Lesson 5 and the second set at the end of the course. The annotations should be submitted after completing the required set of lessons, NOT with each lesson. However, it is recommended that you submit a draft of your first annotation with Lesson 1 to get feedback on it from your instructor.

Grade Information

The course grade will be based upon the following considerations:

  • 10 Lessons (60 pts each) = 600 pts
  • 2 Projects (200 pts each) = 400 pts

1000 total points possible

Grade Scale

Points Earned

Letter Grade

Percent

900-1,000

A

90–100%

800-899

B

80–89%

700-799

C

70–79%

600-699

D

60–69%

599 or less

F

0–59%

The final grade is issued after all lessons and projects have been graded.

Acts of academic dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism are considered a very serious transgression and may result in a grade of F for the course.

Course Policies

Refer to the ISI Policies for the most current policies and procedures, including information on setting up accounts, student confidentiality, exams, transcripts, course exchanges, refunds, academic integrity, library resources, disability support and other services. 

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO POLICIES AND RESOURCES

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

A core value at UI is the ideal of academic honesty and integrity. UI students live and work in a community which emphasizes their responsibility for helping to determine and enforce high standards of academic conduct. The University of Idaho expects all students to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty, and to refrain from any action which infringes upon academic freedom of other members of the community. Please review the UI Student Code of Conduct Article II - Academic Honesty. 

PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism is using someone else’s words, ideas, or work and presenting it as your own. This includes copying, rewording, or summarizing someone else’s writing without giving them credit, as well as taking another person’s ideas and putting them in new words without citing them.

Your assignments should be your original work. When using outside sources, you must cite them. If you use someone’s exact words, put them in quotation marks and give proper credit. If you use their ideas, make sure you cite them even if you’ve rewritten the wording. When you fail to do so, it constitutes academic dishonesty. 

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

AI with Prior Permission

As artificial intelligence tools become more widely available, it is important to clarify how they may or may not be used in this course. The following policy is designed to support your learning and ensure academic integrity.

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools—including but not limited to ChatGPT, Copilot, Perplexity, Grammarly, image generators, and automated coding/writing assistants—may be used in this course only with prior instructor permission. Email a description of your AI request to your instructor (see contact above) prior to completing your assignment. 

Unless permission is explicitly granted, all assignments must be completed independently and without assistance from automated tools.  

If permission is given, students must (1) cite any AI-generated material using a clear attribution and appropriate citation format (e.g., MLA, APA, etc.) and (2) include a brief (2–3 sentence) note explaining how the tool was used, including the prompt or settings. Unauthorized or undisclosed use of AI tools will be considered a violation of academic integrity under the University of Idaho Student Code of Conduct and may affect your grade.

This practice helps you reflect on your learning process and ensures transparency in your academic work. If you're unsure how to document or cite AI use, please reach out or visit the University of Idaho Writing Center for support.

LEARNING CIVILITY

In any environment in which people gather to learn, it is essential that all members feel as free and safe as possible in their participation. To this end, it is expected that everyone in this course will be treated with mutual respect and civility, with an understanding that all of us (students, instructors, professors, guests, teaching assistants, etc.) will be respectful and civil to one another in discussion, in action, in teaching, and in learning.

Should you feel any classroom interactions do not reflect an environment of civility and respect, you are encouraged to reach out to me or an appropriate campus resource to discuss your concern.

Some appropriate campus resources to express a concern or request support include the Dean of Students Office (208-885-6757 or VandalCARE referral), the Counseling and Mental Health Center (208-885-6716), or the Office of Civil Rights and Investigations (208-885-4285).

CENTER FOR DISABILITY ACCESS & RESOURCES (CDAR)

UI is committed to ensuring an accessible learning environment where course or instructional content are usable by all students and faculty. If you believe that you qualify for disability-related academic adjustments for this class, please contact CDAR to discuss eligibility. A current accommodation notification from CDAR is required before any modifications above and beyond what is otherwise available for all other students in this class will be provided.

Please be advised that disability-related academic adjustments are not retroactive. CDAR is located at the Bruce Pitman Building, Suite 127. Their phone number is 208-885-6307 and email is cdar@uidaho.edu.

For a complete listing of services and hours visit www.uidaho.edu/student-resources/disability-accessibility-resources.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

UI has a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status. This policy applies to all programs, services, and facilities, and includes, but is not limited to, applications, admissions, access to programs and services, and employment. Sexual harassment violates state and federal law and policies of the Board of Regents, and is expressly prohibited. UI also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, as stated in FSH 3215. The entire FSH can be accessed online at www.uidaho.edu/policies/fsh.

Complaints about discrimination or harassment should be brought to the attention of the Office of Civil Rights and Investigations (ocri@uidaho.edu, 208-885-4285). Retaliation for bringing forward a complaint is prohibited by FSH 3810.

UI MOSCOW LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The University of Idaho welcomes and respects all people. UI Moscow is located on the homelands of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce), Palus (Palouse), and Schitsu’umsh (Coeur d’Alene) tribes. We extend gratitude to the indigenous people that call this place home, since time immemorial.

TECHNOLOGY HELP

Keep Learning / CAPE Tech Support provides information on authentication and login issues, enrollment and registration, CANVAS help, dropping courses, profile updates, etc. You can also submit a support request if needed which can be directed to the Independent Study in Idaho office.