Language, Literacy and Learning Theory



Professor Patrick L. Courts
Department of English
State University College of New York at Fredonia

Although I enjoy all the courses I teach, this is certainly one of my favorites The course focuses on the nature of the reading process: how people learn to read, what reading (comprehension) involves as opposed to simply decoding words, and the relationships between learning to speak and learning to read. But the issues and topics explored in the course go far beyond the reading of print. We examine what little is presently known about how the brain processes language, the nature of memory, dominant vs non-dominant dialects and their role in reading/writing processes, and the politics of literacy.

In addition, students experiment with hands-on activities through which they put the theories into practice, "teaching" the rest of the class through the use of methods we explore in the course. The central purpose of the course is to help students understand the nature of literacy and approaches for helping students of all ages become more literate.


I think that what attracts me most to the course is that the topics and information we explore are at the forefront of areas like psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, and theories of how the human mind operates. Because of the sparks that fly in the course, many students who have no intention of teaching, per se, choose to take the course just to explore the issues.

The course is discussion based, supplemented with small-group projects, in-class presentations, brief oral reports, library research, and a considerable amount of writing. At present the central texts are one by Constance Weaver exploring the reading process and the whole language approach to literacy teaching, as well as one by me on Multicultural Literacies. In addition, students read articles in journals that focus on the various topics under consideration. What fascinates me is the fact that, as challening as the course is, students' written evaluations of it are extrordinarily positive.

LOTSA LINKS

My office is in Fenton Hall, 236. Phone: 716 673 3450. You can reach me by e-mail at: courts@fredonia.edu

Other courses I offer for potential teachers of English are:

  • Adolescent Literature>Adolescent

  • Senior Seminar for Teachers of English>

  • Computer Technology and Literacy>

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    Last revised. January 1999.