II. Course Description & Rationale
The purpose of this course is to extend your thinking about the concept of literacy, theoretically and practically, to further critically analyze learning and literacy instruction as educators. Content area reading has grown into a more reflective exploration of content literacy - the ability to use reading, writing, speaking and listening processes to learn subject matter across the curriculum.
To truly become lifelong learners and readers, it is even more critical to be able to 'read the world' of text in its various media. Our professional role as educators dictates that we enter into the philosophical and theoretical discussions that lead to the implementation of strategic teaching and strategic processing. We will take our leads from Jim Burke, the author of our texts, as well as outside readings from academic and contemporary literature to guide our course of learning.
"We must look at the lens through which we see the world as well as the world we see, and recognize that the lens itself shapes how we interpret the world."
III. Responsibilities
As graduate colleagues, you will have the responsibility, freedom and support to focus on the four major course strands of communication, research, technology, collaboration, as follows:
Understand literacy as a social phenomenon that is socially constructed knowledge;
Acquire a working understanding of paradigm, constructivist theory and other related epistemology;
Develop increased skill in various reading strategies in reading and writing in content areas;
Use your understanding of literacy to inform and conceptualize effective instructional practices;
Reflect on your own intellectual/literacy history;
Reflect on and assess your own learning throughout the course;
Develop increased reading strategy skills in content literacy;
Utilize your understanding of literacy to inform and analyze effective teaching;
Interact with media and computer technology;
Listen to perspectives of visitng guests;
Participate as a team member in a class collaborative content literacy project;
Assess learning with Five Dimensions of Learning [Confidence and independence | Knowledge and Understanding | Skills and strategies | Use of prior and emerging experience | Reflection ]
through oral and written reflection, individual presentations, group presentations in various media;
Demonstrate academic integrity, respect and professionalism in class, in communication and in assignments and projects.
Use APA style in citing research.
IV. Course Texts (Available at the SJC Bookstore)
Open this site to print out V. Learning Opportunities
Open this site to print out course Tentative Schedule
VI. Evaluation
A+ GRADE = completion of all course assignments and projects; extra credit assignments/projects; class participation and attendance with an exceptional level of academic excellence and performance.
A GRADE = completion of all course assignments and projects; class participation and attendance with an outstanding level of academic excellence and performance.
B GRADE = completion of all course assignments and projects; class participation and attendance with an above average level of academic achievement and performance.
NO INCOMPLETE GRADES WILL BE GIVEN.
VII. Attendance
Attendance is required at all classes. Arrive on time to allow classes to begin (and end) at their scheduled times. Attendance and punctuality are crucial professional responsibilities. Thus, you should come to all classes well prepared to assume an active and thoughtful role in class and scheduled activities by having read all required readings and completed all class assignments. If you are absent two times this semester, arrange to meet with your instructor to discuss extenuating circumstances and whether it is advisable to continue the course. If you are absent more than two times this semester, you will be dropped from the course. "The reporting of absences does not relieve the student of responsibility for missed assignments, exams, etc. The student is required to take the initiative in arranging to make up missed work, and it is expected that faculty will cooperate with the student in reasonable arrangements in this regard." (UNM Pathfinder).
It is your responsibility to check in with the Instructor after the missed class for all make up work.
VIII. Accommodation
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for a reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you have a disability requiring accommodation, please contact me as soon as possible to make arrangements. For more information, contact Student Support Services at 277-3506.
IX. Plagiarism and X. Accreditation
X. Plagiarism Statement
Plagiarism is the presentation as original work by a writer of ideas, words, or thoughts belonging to someone else. You must provide a reference not indicating the source of any specific words borrowed from another source. Any project containing incidents of plagiarism will receive no credit or grade. Plagiarism is a serious offense in any college course and can lead to failure in that course or expulsion from UNM.
XI. Accreditation Information
The College of Education is an NCATE accredited institution. NCATE stands for "National Counsel for Accreditation of Teacher Education" (http://www.ncate.org). All COE courses address specific NCATE and professional society guidelines and support the College of Education’s Vision, Mission and Conceptual Framework. I encourage you to learn about and spend some time thinking about the College of Education’s Vision and Mission Statements. Hypertext links to relevant information are provided on the
Accreditation Information page.
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Created 7 January 2006
Send comments to Frances Vitali, Ph.D.
Last Updated 31 August 2006