ELIT322 Young Adult Novel
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Feb 02, 2026
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English Language and Literature
Nadira Puškar Mustafić
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
This course examines the development and transformation of Anglo-American Young Adult (YA) literature from the late twentieth century to the early twenty-first century. The course explores how YA fiction represents adolescence as a social, cultural, and political construct, engaging with issues of identity formation, race, class, institutional power, technological mediation, media spectacle, and resistance. Through close reading and structured discussion, students analyze the evolution of narrative voice and shifting representations of authority across realist and dystopian YA fiction. The course emphasizes critical interpretation, comparative analysis, and structured academic presentation.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Hinton, S. E. The Outsiders. 1967.; Myers, Walter Dean. Monster. 1999.; Anderson, M. T. Feed. 2002.; Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Book 1 of the trilogy. 2008.
Additional Literature
Crowe, Chris. “What Is Young Adult Literature?” The English Journal, vol. 88, no. 1, 1998, pp. 120–122. Cadden, Mike. “The Irony of Narration in the Young Adult Novel.” Children’s Literature Association Quarterly, vol. 25, no. 3, 2000, pp. 146–154.; Foucault, Michel. “Panopticism.” In Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. Vintage Books, 1977.; Cart, Michael. From Romance to Realism: 50 Years of Growth and Change in Young Adult Literature. HarperCollins, 1996.Teaching Methods
Lecture-based introduction of historical, thematic, and contextual frameworks
Guided close reading and structured textual analysis
Moderated seminar-style discussion
Comparative thematic analysis across selected YA texts
Student-led oral presentations
Analytical questioning and in-class interpretative exercises
Written summative assessment (midterm and final examination)
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Young Adult Literature | |
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| 2 | The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton | |
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| 3 | The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton | |
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| 4 | Monster by Walter Dean Myers | |
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| 5 | Monster by Walter Dean Myers | |
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| 6 | Student Presentations | |
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| 7 | Feed by M. T. Anderson | |
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| 8 | Mid-term exam | |
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| 9 | Feed by M. T. Anderson | |
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| 10 | Student Presentations | |
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| 11 | The Hunger Games (Book 1) by Suzanne Collins | |
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| 12 | The Hunger Games (Book 1) by Suzanne Collins | |
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| 13 | Student Presentations | |
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| 14 | Comparative Thematic Synthesis | |
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| 15 | Student Presentations & Final Exam Review | |
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Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELIT322.1 | Course | Thursday 09:00 - 11:50 | B F2.5 | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 13:00 - 15:00 | B F2.26 | |
| Thursday | 13:00 - 15:00 | B F2.26 | |
| Friday | 10:00 - 12:00 | B F2.26 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Mid-term exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Assignments
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Presentation
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Participation
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture hours
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
In-term exam study
20 hours ⏳ (2 week × 10 h)
Participation
8 hours ⏳ (1 week × 8 h)
Final exam study
30 hours ⏳ (3 week × 10 h)
Home study
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
Presentation
2 hours ⏳ (1 week × 2 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [ELIT322] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Feb 02, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
Print Syllabus
Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| ELIT322 | Young Adult Novel | 2 | 1 | 6 | ||||||
| Prerequisite | None | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Nadira Puškar Mustafić | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Tuesday: 13:00-15:00 Thursday: 13:00-15:00 Friday: 10:00-12:00 |
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| npuskar-mustafic@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | This course examines the development and transformation of Anglo-American Young Adult (YA) literature from the late twentieth century to the early twenty-first century. The course explores how YA fiction represents adolescence as a social, cultural, and political construct, engaging with issues of identity formation, race, class, institutional power, technological mediation, media spectacle, and resistance. Through close reading and structured discussion, students analyze the evolution of narrative voice and shifting representations of authority across realist and dystopian YA fiction. The course emphasizes critical interpretation, comparative analysis, and structured academic presentation. |
|||||||||
| Textbook | Hinton, S. E. The Outsiders. 1967.; Myers, Walter Dean. Monster. 1999.; Anderson, M. T. Feed. 2002.; Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Book 1 of the trilogy. 2008. | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
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| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Lecture-based introduction of historical, thematic, and contextual frameworks. Guided close reading and structured textual analysis. Moderated seminar-style discussion. Comparative thematic analysis across selected YA texts. Student-led oral presentations. Analytical questioning and in-class interpretative exercises. Written summative assessment (midterm and final examination) | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introduction to Young Adult Literature | |||||||||
| Week 2 | The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton | |||||||||
| Week 3 | The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton | |||||||||
| Week 4 | Monster by Walter Dean Myers | |||||||||
| Week 5 | Monster by Walter Dean Myers | |||||||||
| Week 6 | Student Presentations | |||||||||
| Week 7 | Feed by M. T. Anderson | |||||||||
| Week 8 | Mid-term exam | |||||||||
| Week 9 | Feed by M. T. Anderson | |||||||||
| Week 10 | Student Presentations | |||||||||
| Week 11 | The Hunger Games (Book 1) by Suzanne Collins | |||||||||
| Week 12 | The Hunger Games (Book 1) by Suzanne Collins | |||||||||
| Week 13 | Student Presentations | |||||||||
| Week 14 | Comparative Thematic Synthesis | |||||||||
| Week 15 | Student Presentations & Final Exam Review | |||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 40 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Mid-term exam | 1 | 25 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Assignments | 8 | 10 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Presentation | 1 | 15 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Participation | 4 | 10 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture hours | 3 | 15 | 45 | In-term exam study | 10 | 2 | 20 | |||
| Participation | 8 | 1 | 8 | Final exam study | 10 | 3 | 30 | |||
| Home study | 3 | 15 | 45 | Presentation | 2 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 28/02/2026 | |||||||||
Detailed Weekly Plan
- Defining YA as a literary category
- Historical development of YA fiction
- Realism and dystopia
- Class and group identity
- Adolescence and belonging
- Narrative voice
- Masculinity and vulnerability
- Violence and loyalty
- Emotional realism
- Narrative fragmentation
- Identity and representation
- Courtroom structure
- Justice and systemic bias
- Voice and ambiguity
- Self-perception vs. public perception
- Contextualization of the selected Young Adult novel
- Identification of major themes and narrative strategies
- Placement within YA literary tradition
- Comparative connection to course texts
- Moderated academic discussion
- Consumer culture
- Language and identity
- Technology and commodification
- Analytical questions on The Outsiders and Monster
- Passage-based close reading
- Thematic comparison
- Application of course concepts
- Corporate power
- Manufactured desire
- Dystopia without overt violence
- Comparative thematic analysis
- Application of course concepts
- Spectacle and surveillance
- Media performance
- Construction of public identity
- Arena as televised violence
- Political symbolism
- Resistance and agency
- Integration within YA tradition
- Comparative positioning
- Voice across texts
- Power and control structures
- Realism vs. dystopia
- Course synthesis
- Final preparation