Kurt Queller: Linguistics, Literacy and Language Usage

ENGL 501-03
3-credit seminar
June 10-July 5
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Kurt Queller
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This course is designed for current and prospective primary and secondary school teachers with a language arts emphasis.  Using the methods of applied linguistics, it addresses issues in literacy acquisition (including the phonics / whole language controversy) and in rhetoric and composition pedagogy (including the debate over product- vs. process-oriented teaching methods).  Special units focus on using applied etymological and morphological analysis to enhance students’ vocabulary and spelling skills.  Issues of standard vs. non-standard usage (including “Ebonics”) are also discussed, as are cross-cultural differences in classroom discourse (including Native American vs. European American cultural norms).  Particular attention is devoted to practical grammatical analysis of the sort that is relevant to teaching and learning the material necessary to perform well on the “language usage” component of the ISAT.