Adolescent Literacy: Theory, Research & Practice Focusing on Literacy in School Contexts

The field of adolescent literacy is broad: It embraces theory, research and practice that aims to address what we know about how young people become literate and express their literacies in cultural contexts both in and out of school. Who are adolescents, and how do we define literacy? In a rapidly evolving world where comprehension and communication are the currency of our information economy, how do we help people become literate consumers and producers of the knowledge that will help them thrive? What role do schools play in preparing youth for a world that asks them to be expert users of tools that have not yet been invented and technologies that don't yet exist? What will it mean to "read"? This course introduces adolescent literacy theory and research, with special attention to topics relevant to classrooms and schools.