MCCCD Program Description

Banned Books and Censorship

Course: ENH295

First Term: 2010 Fall

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Course Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: History, motivations, and effects of censorship in a democratic society. Censorship and book banning as a method of silencing diverse voices. Critical analysis of banned or challenged literature for children and adults.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Explain the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as it relates to literature and other printed materials. (I) 2. Identify and explain factors that motivate people and organizations to challenge and/or ban books. (I) 3. Identify and describe the effects of censorship on readers, writers, publishers, educators, and librarians. (I) 4. Explain and exemplify uses of censorship by a dominant culture to suppress minority voices. (II) 5. Read and analyze examples of banned or challenged literature dealing with issues of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, religion, and political perspective. (II, III) 6. Analyze and present results of independent reading of a text chosen from the American Library Association`s list of Most Challenged Books. (II, III) 7. Work as part of a team to compose arguments for and against banning or challenging a selected text with a controversial history. (IV) 8. Articulate a personal position on the issue of censorship of printed materials, and identify national organizations that promote or oppose censorship. (IV)

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Censorship in Print A. History B. Law C. The First Amendment D. Motivations for censorship 1. Protection of citizens and public peace 2. Suppression of diverse voices and challenging ideas 3. Control of artists E. Organizations involved in the censorship debate F. Banning vs. challenging books G. Effects of censorship 1. On readers 2. On writers 3. On publishers 4. On educators and schools 5. On librarians and libraries II. Suppression of Divergent Voices A. Issues of gender and sexuality B. Issues of ethnicity and race 1. African American writers 2. Native American writers 3. Hispanic writers 4. Asian American writers 5. Writers of other cultures C. Issues of religion and morality D. Issues of political perspective III. Tools of Literary Analysis A. Genre 1. Fiction 2. Nonfiction 3. Poetry 4. Drama B. Character C. Plot D. Setting E. Dialogue F. Tone G. Theme H. Symbolism and imagery I. Historical and social context J. Illustrations (in children`s literature) IV. Responses to Censorship of Literature A. Personal ethics and values B. Social and cultural ethics and values C. Legislative and judicial actions and reactions D. Challenges to online media and publishing E. National Banned Book Week

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 2/23/2010

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.