Cognitive Science 0240 - Seminar in New Literacy

This course is an exploration into the emerging field of New Literacy Studies and the implications for its broadening theoretical, educational and cultural implications for new perspectives of youth in the postmodern age. The course builds complex understandings of the conceptual framework of multiple literacies that offer an alternate view of literacy, which has been traditionally seen as an acquisition and performance of skills. Students explore a New Literacies perspective of literacy as social practice, which is shaped by context and culture, time and space, politics and media. The course explores the educational implications of youth multiliteracies and identities in both school and non-school contexts, with a focus on underrepresented voices in diverse settings. Through explorations of New Literacy Studies research, students investigate, question and redefine what counts as literacy, and in doing so, consider implications for critical pedagogical practices that more fully engage and represent youth in their learning process.

Culture, Humanities, and Languages Power, Community and Social Justice Writing and Research Multiple Cultural Perspectives Independent Work