Cognitive Science 0111 - The Emergence of Literacy

The majority of adults are able to read fluently. However, when children learn to read, the process is dependent on a number of skills and requires a great deal of adult guidance. In this course we will discuss the cultural importance of literacy across societies and throughout childhood. We will focus on the development of the complex skill of reading, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and higher-order processes that contribute to decoding and text comprehension. Because instruction can play a determining factor in children's acquisition of literacy skills, we will study early reading materials and examine practices that are employed at home and in the classroom to facilitate the acquisition of these skills. We will also collaborate with a local elementary school to develop resources for families to support language and literacy engagement at home. Evaluation will be based on class participation, a series of short papers, and a longer final project.

Mind, Brain, and Information Writing and Research Quantitative Skills Multiple Cultural Perspectives In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to 9 time. This time includes reading, writing, research.