Course Descriptions

ENG 114 - The Young Adult Novel

3 Credits

The course will use various critical literary approaches to explore novels from the first Golden Age of children’s literature to its contemporary incarnation in the 21st century as a way to consider the transformation from child to adult and the global socio-cultural concept of the young adult. A variety of subgenres such as Realistic/Historical Fiction, Fantastic/Speculative Fiction, Mystery/Detective, Romance and Creative Nonfiction will be covered with attention given to motifs, archetypes, and themes in such literature. While the course will emphasize the traditional novel, the dominant genre in YA literature, additional genres such as the graphic novel, poetry, drama, and non-fiction will also be explored to properly contextualize the novel within Young Adult Literature as a whole. This course will center on written texts but may also include occasional references to films and other media.

Prerequisite(s): ENG 101; or equivalent; or instructor permission (ENG 101 can be taken as a co-requisite)

Retiring SUNY General Education: SUNY-H - Humanities (SHUM)

MCC General Education: MCC-AH - Arts and Humanities (MAH)

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Describe the historical development of Young Adult Novels.
2. Describe the literary genres within Young Adult Novels.
3. Explain the global socio-cultural concept of adolescence as exemplified in Young Adult Novels.
4. Write a thesis-driven essay using literature as a primary source.
5. Apply appropriate formal conventions when writing about literature.

Course Offered Spring

Use links below to see if this course is offered:
Fall Semester 2024
Intersession 2025
Spring Semester 2025