EDUC 7114 - Critical Literacy for All Learners

3 credits

The purpose of this course is to provide teacher candidates with theoretical and practical foundations for implementing reflective, critical, and social justice orientated practices into their future classrooms. Specifically, this course will focus on the process of critical literacy in the Prek-6 settings. Candidates will learn how to identify and deconstruct popular literature, while focusing heavily on issues of social justice and equity. This course will also focus on critically analyzing children’s books, media, and toys. Students will first reflect on their childhood, privilege, and early literacy experiences. By examining our practices closely, developing relevant questions, engaging in systemic and critical inquiry, and sharing our subsequent knowledge with others, we will be able to transform our practices and have an impact on the practices of others. Candidates will also examine ways to assess students’ comprehension using critical literacy techniques.