Developing an Impactful Diverse Literature Course for Future Librarians

Abstract

This chapter describes the development of a course about diversity in children's literature for pre-service librarians. A discussion of the pedagogical philosophy that grounds the faculty member before designing the course is presented. With a lens of critical pedagogy, the course presents a learning environment in which students analyze their place within the power structures of society. The course's design follows a structure that takes students from reflective assignments to acquiring the tools they will need to actively diversify youth collections and programs in libraries and schools. The chapter includes suggested guidelines to develop the course's learning outcomes, materials, and tools for authentic assessment of learning. It also includes samples of assignments, resources to use in the course design, and suggestions for future research.