Critical Literacy

Undergraduate

Critical literacy is a theoretical framework that offers teachers a perspective for curriculum development, equitable assessment practices and practical instruction. Drawing upon the tenets of critical literacy models, teacher candidates will reflect and analyze their practice teaching to identify the challenges and possibilities of teaching critical literacy in daily classroom life. Critical literacy involves recognizing sociopolitical systems that influence teaching and learning practices. Questioning the practice of schools and curriculum is necessary for teachers to be agents of social change and stewards of democratic education. Teacher candidates will explore teaching strategies that empower learners from diverse abilities and cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Teacher candidates will construct deeper meanings of language and culture, interpret the relationship between language and power, and investigate ways to promote learners’ languages and cultures. Teacher candidates will develop an understanding of text and text based social structures to foster equitable, inclusive, and empowering learning communities. The practice of critical literacy practices is meant to be transformative. Teacher candidates will engage in ongoing reflection on their own pedagogical practices and social actions as a critical educator and citizen. (1.5 Credit Weight)