Theoretical Foundations of Literacy

Catalog description

The primary goals for this course are to (1) examine the theoretical paradigms that inform the field of literacy education, including philosophical, cognitive, sociocultural, critical literacy, and multimodal/digital literacies and (2) to assist participants in becoming more aware of sociocultural, diversity, gender, and identity in relationship to literacy and schooling. Throughout the course, participants will examine the complexity of literacy to become aware of how to situate one's own literacy practice and experience in multiple contexts. Participants become reacquainted with mainstream theories and explore those of critical theorists who challenge traditional perspectives that have often marginalized race, class, and linguistic variety in learning and in literacy development.