Literacy, Language, Culture and Power

Catalog description

This course explores the interconnections between language, culture, identity, and social power, with a particular focus on key theories in the field of language study. Through this lens, the course aims to foster a deeper understanding of how language and power shape identity and influence educational practices, equipping students with the tools to better understand and address these dynamics in educational settings. Topics of focus include the advantages and disadvantages of language standardization, institutional responses to linguistic diversity, the relationship between language and culture. Together we will examine policies and legislative actions that highlight the role of language discrimination in the historical development of racism in the United States. By understanding the power dynamics in literacy, educators can shift from a deficit-based perspective to an asset-based approach that celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity, fostering more inclusive and equitable pedagogies.