Course Overview

The course is an introduction to culture and community issues in light of the diverse YA books. The course will be divided into two parts, In the first part, I will introduce the terms: ‘culture’, ‘community’, and ‘diversity’. I will start with key definitions and concepts. Then, I will introduce to open a blog and expect each student to open a blog to continue weekly discussions and comments to each other’s blog about the discussion topics.

In the second part, each student will read the books assigned the week and topics will continue to the discussion during the course hours with critical topics. Students will acquire basic knowledge of the culture and community under the light of diverse young adult literature. In this program, students will have blogs fulfill with discussions of key concepts about culture, community, and diversity and analysis of the books. Participants will be analyzing critical issues and develop an ability to think and speak critically about culture and community under the light of diverse young adult literature.

Expectations: Daily assignments, readings, group discussion, active participation for synchronous, and asynchronous class discussion.

All students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion and have the opportunity to request a Syracuse University credit or noncredit transcript.

Course Objectives

  • Students will be able to acquire basic knowledge of the culture and community under the light of diverse adolescent literature
  • Students will be able to describe and identify the importance of ‘Culture,’ ‘Community,’ and ‘Diversity’
  • Students will be able to develop an ability to think and speak critically about culture and community under the light of diverse young adult literature
  • Students will be able to develop their own blog content and discuss the issues with peers
  • Students will be able to critique new issues around ‘Culture,’ ‘Community,’ and ‘Diversity’ and raise their own awareness with further questions

Course Information

Course Prefix and Number:

Format: Online

Eligibility: Students must be of rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior status – or a 2023 high school graduate. 

Credit: Noncredit

Grading: Pass/Fail

Cost: $1,985

Program rates are subject to change and will be approved by the board of trustees. Discounts and scholarships are also available.


Program Information

Summer College – Online: Explore college life before stepping foot on campus! High school students can enroll in a college-level course, pursue their academic interests, and meet likeminded students in daily virtual events and activities.


“I very much enjoyed my experience in the Summer College- Online experience because it gave me so many opportunities to meet new people with interests and experiences both similar and different to mine.”

— Kenneth S., Summer College – Online Student, 2021

Course Dates and Details

ProgramCourse DatesSynchronous Class Time (Eastern Time)Credit/NoncreditStatus
Summer College – Online3-Week Session I: Monday, July 3 – Thursday, July 20, 2023MTWTh*;
6-8 p.m.
NoncreditClosed
*July 4 is an observed holiday and students will have class on Friday, July 7 and then all subsequent synchronous class will run according to the schedule above.

Course Requirements

Textbook Requirements

Students should budget for required textbooks and/or supplies. A supply and textbook listing will be emailed to students before the start of the program.

Typical Day

Tentative Schedule

  • The class will start with the opening question/writing to refresh their learning and reading knowledge. (10 min)
  • Then, we will share our thinking about the topic and readings. (10 min)
  • We will follow the presentation for 15 minutes and then, watch some videos about the topic. (15 min)
  • I will talk about the book related the topic and we will discuss the book together (20 min)
  • Then I will divide students into the groups. They will think about the questions and share their thoughts with small group activities (20 min) This will change each day depending on the activity
  • Then they will come back to the whole group and share their activity products (15 min)
  • Small writing before end the day (10 min)

When class is over, and on weekends, students can look forward to various Summer College virtual activities to meet and connect with other students across the world. Check out our Virtual Campus Experience page for more information!

Faculty Bios

Fatima Seyma Kizil (Sheyma)

Fatima Seyma Kizil (Sheyma) is pursuing a Ph.D. in Literacy Education at Syracuse University. She has also completed the Designing digital instruction advance certificate program in Instructional Design, Development, and Evaluation department. Her research interests include culturally and linguistically diverse students, children’s and young adult literature, and reading motivation. She also gives importance to integrating recent technologies into instruction as the digital age’s requirements. She was co-instructor of the Children and adolescents literature course. She has been working teaching assistant for the college learning strategies course. Recently, she has been the coordinator of the ISNCY book club program and conducting a volunteer online book club to understand culturally and linguistically diverse students’ reader identities.

Ibrahim Kizil

Ibrahim Kizil is pursuing a Ph.D. in Literacy Education at Syracuse University. He has completed the Instructional design master’s program in 2020. He’s working as coordinator of the SAT prep program at SU. His research interests include integrating technology into literacy education. He can be reached at ikizil@syr.edu.