Leader: Dr Julie Bradshaw

Offered

Not offered in 2008

Synopsis

This unit will provide an introduction to issues in language in education including, reading, writing, early childhood literacy, tertiary literacy and classroom practices. Literacies in media and computer communication contexts will be investigated including the language of hypertext, 'reading' in CMC, television and video discourse, and the ethical issues of access, participation and democratisation will also be explored. These topics help frame understandings about the measurement, acquisition, absence and change for literacies in communication contexts.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Engage in informed debate on the relationship between literacy and cognition.

2. Identify the attributes of major writing systems of the world.

3. Describe the spoken-written language continuum and the features of computer-mediated communication.

4. Outline the stages of literacy development in young children.

5. Assess the effects of schooled literacy, second language literacy, and biliteracy.

6. Use ethnographic methods to study of literacy events.

7. Assess the cultural impact of electronic literacy.

Assessment

Research project (2500 words): 50%
Class participation/on-line discussion group: 20%
Examination (1.5 hours): 30%
Third-year students will be invited to show a greater degree of theoretical understanding and analysis in their projects.

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 2 hour seminar) per week

Prerequisites

A first-year sequence in Linguistics, English or Communication and 12 points of Linguistics, English or Communication at second-year level.

Prohibitions

LIN2490