Literacy: Social, Educational and Cognitive Perspectives

Summary module description:

Aims:
This module aims to explore the nature of literacy practices, drawing on a range of social and educational contexts. We will consider both the theoretical bases of production and comprehension of written language and will review methodological approaches to research in reading and writing.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this module it is expected that the student will be able to:
- Summarise cognitive processes of reading and writing
- Collect and analyse data on literacy practices
- Summarise major theories of literacy practices from social perspectives
- Discuss literacy practices in different contexts (educational and multilingual)
- Describe writing systems.
Additional outcomes:
The module aims to encourage the development of students' critical thinking skills, in relation to evaluating ideas, research and teaching approaches. Students will be encouraged to use IT resources for asynchronous discussion of key topics. Oral presentation skills will be promoted.

Outline content:
The module will look at developing literacy skills from cognitive and social perspectives. In the first half we will focus on the cognitive processes of reading and writing. We will also look at what skilled readers and writers do in English, and how teaching can help in the development of these skills, in children learning this as their first language of literacy and learners reading and writing in English as a second/foreign language. We will consider a variety of research methods.

In the second half, we will discuss writing systems and the social bases of literacy, including multilingual literacy practices.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Integrated lectures with workshops and oral presentations.

Summative Assessment Methods:
Written exam 45%
Written assignment including essay 45%
Oral assessment and presentation 10%

Other information on summative assessment:
Course work

? Students will make one oral presentation in groups. (10%)
? Students will write one essay of 2,000 ? 2,500 words. (45%)

Relative percentage of coursework: 55%

Formative assessment methods:
Feedback on group preparation for oral presentation.
Feedback on assignment outline.

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.
where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Length of examination:
One 2-hour examination, with two questions.
Relative percentage of examination: 45%

Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.