Graduate Studies Reports Access

Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - RED7798
Tracking Number - 2548

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Current Status: Approved, Permanent Archive - 2012-01-19
Campus: Tampa
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only):
Comments: to GC 5/10/11; reviewed 6/6/11; pending concurrence from Spec Ed/Sec Ed. Emailed 6/29/11, 10/26/11. to GC 11/3/11. Approved 11/14/11. to USF System 11/28/11. to SCNS 12/6/11. Appd as 7798 (Sub 7640). Eff 1/1/12. Posted in banner


Detail Information

  1. Date & Time Submitted: 2011-04-08
  2. Department: Childhood Education & Literacy Studies
  3. College: ED
  4. Budget Account Number: 172100
  5. Contact Person: Dr. Nancy Williams
  6. Phone: 8139743460
  7. Email: nlwilliams@usf.edu
  8. Prefix: RED
  9. Number: 7798
  10. Full Title: Research in Transdisciplinary Texts and Teaching
  11. Credit Hours: 3
  12. Section Type: D - Discussion (Primarily)
  13. Is the course title variable?: N
  14. Is a permit required for registration?: N
  15. Are the credit hours variable?: N
  16. Is this course repeatable?:
  17. If repeatable, how many times?: 0
  18. Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Transdisciplinary Texts & Tchg
  19. Course Online?: C - Face-to-face (0% online)
  20. Percentage Online: 0
  21. Grading Option: R - Regular
  22. Prerequisites: Doctoral Level Status
  23. Corequisites: N/A
  24. Course Description: The purpose of this course is to familiarize advanced graduate students with research and instructional practices utilizing a variety of texts within a “Transdisciplinary” context

  25. Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Needed for program/concentration/certificate change
  26. What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? Required in the program of studies for students with a concentration in Literacy Studies
  27. Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? No
  28. What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) None
  29. Objectives: The students in this course will:

    1) Read and evaluate research on the nature of transdisciplinary texts, including discipline-specific print text, and electronic, fine arts, photographic arts, dance, music, and dramatic arts text

    2) Critique the psycholinguistic nature of the comprehension process as it applies to transdisciplinary text;

    3) Review of major literacy foundations including schema, psycholinguistic, and semiotic theories and the relationship transdisciplinary texts and teaching.

    4) Engage in research in transdisciplinary education

    5) Produce products that lead to publication.

  30. Learning Outcomes: a. Readings/Weekly Discussions (40%)

    Students are expected to actively read all assigned materials and be prepared to participate in all class activities and conversations in addition to related articles of the student’s interest. Students will be expected to express knowledge of the readings through a variety of online and off line activities including blogs, Discussion Boards, group conversations and other collaborative methods.

    b. Research Project (40%)

    Students will select a topic of interest within the context of Transdisciplinary texts and teaching and design a research project.

    c. Application of Research Project (20%)

    Students will determine the appropriate application for the research project. Possibilities include conference proposal/presentation, grant proposal, curriculum development, and/or any other outcome that is aligned with the student’s professional growth.

  31. Major Topics: Date Topic

    Week 1 Introduction to course: Recognizing, Defining and Operationalizing Transdisciplinary Texts and Teaching

    Week 2 Foundations of Literacy Theories with Applications to Transdisciplinary Texts and Teaching

    Week 3 Literacy Theories with Applications to Transdisciplinary Texts and Teaching

    Week 4 Literacy Theories with Applications to Transdisciplinary Texts and Teaching

    Week 5 Critical Analysis of Traditional Texts

    Week 6 Critical Analysis of Authentic Texts

    Week 7 Primary Sources

    Week 8 New Literacies

    Week 9 Performance Texts

    Week 10 Visual Texts

    Week 11 Alignment of Mandates with Transdisciplinary Texts and Teaching

    Week 12 Making Literacy Gains through Transdisciplinary Texts and Teaching

    Week 13 Cultural, Linguistic, and Social Implications

    Week 14 Pedagogy of Transdisciplinary Teaching

    Week 15 Sharing of Transdisciplinary Research Plans

  32. Textbooks: Stevens, L.P., & Bean, T.W. (2007) Critical literacy: Context, research and practice in the k-12 classroom. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage/
  33. Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases: Readings posted on Blackboard
  34. Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: a. Readings/Weekly Discussions (40%)

    Students are expected to actively read all assigned materials and be prepared to participate in all class activities and conversations in addition to related articles of the student’s interest. Students will be expected to express knowledge of the readings through a variety of online and off line activities including blogs, Discussion Boards, group conversations and other collaborative methods.

    b. Research Project (40%)

    Students will select a topic of interest within the context of Transdisciplinary texts and teaching and design a research project.

    c. Application of Research Project (20%)

    Students will determine the appropriate application for the research project. Possibilities include conference proposal/presentation, grant proposal, curriculum development, and/or any other outcome that is aligned with the student’s professional growth.

    A 92-100 The student consistently participates in all class discussions, turns in all

    assignments on or before the due date with only the highest quality.

    Additionally, the student provides evidence of thought and synthesis of current trends in literacy instruction.

    B 82-91 The student participates in most class discussions, turns in assignments in a timely manner, and completes work in above average quality. The student also provides evidence of reading and knowledge of current trends in literacy instruction.

    C 72-81 Occasional participation in most class discussions; completion of all assignments; consistent attendance; evidence of reading about current trends in literacy instruction.

    C- 0-71 Lack of participation in class discussions; incomplete or poorly completed

    assignments; inconsistent attendance; little or no evidence that reading about current trends in reading instruction was completed

  35. Assignments, Exams and Tests: a. Readings/Weekly Discussions (40%)

    Students are expected to actively read all assigned materials and be prepared to participate in all class activities and conversations in addition to related articles of the student’s interest. Students will be expected to express knowledge of the readings through a variety of online and off line activities including blogs, Discussion Boards, group conversations and other collaborative methods.

    b. Research Project (40%)

    Students will select a topic of interest within the context of Transdisciplinary texts and teaching and design a research project.

    c. Application of Research Project (20%)

    Students will determine the appropriate application for the research project. Possibilities include conference proposal/presentation, grant proposal, curriculum development, and/or any other outcome that is aligned with the student’s professional growth.

    Date Topic

    Week 1 Introduction to course: Recognizing, Defining and Operationalizing Transdisciplinary Texts and Teaching

    Week 2 Foundations of Literacy Theories with Applications to Transdisciplinary Texts and Teaching

    Week 3 Literacy Theories with Applications to Transdisciplinary Texts and Teaching

    Week 4 Literacy Theories with Applications to Transdisciplinary Texts and Teaching

    Week 5 Critical Analysis of Traditional Texts

    Week 6 Critical Analysis of Authentic Texts

    Week 7 Primary Sources

    Week 8 New Literacies

    Week 9 Performance Texts

    Week 10 Visual Texts

    Week 11 Alignment of Mandates with Transdisciplinary Texts and Teaching

    Week 12 Making Literacy Gains through Transdisciplinary Texts and Teaching

    Week 13 Cultural, Linguistic, and Social Implications

    Week 14 Pedagogy of Transdisciplinary Teaching

    Week 15 Sharing of Transdisciplinary Research Plans

    Grading Criteria:

    All assignments will be evaluated using holistic scales, constructed for each activity. The numbers will then be added to determine the final grade. Letter grades will be determined according to the following scale:

    A 92-100 The student consistently participates in all class discussions, turns in all assignments on or before the due date with only the highest quality.

    Additionally, the student provides evidence of thought and synthesis of current trends in literacy instruction.

    B 82-91 The student participates in most class discussions, turns in assignments in a timely manner, and completes work in above average quality. The student also provides evidence of reading and knowledge of current trends in literacy instruction.

    C 72-81 Occasional participation in most class discussions; completion of all assignments; consistent attendance; evidence of reading about current trends in literacy instruction.

    D 71 Lack of participation in class discussions; incomplete or poorly completed

    assignments; inconsistent attendance; little or no evidence that reading

    about current trends in reading instruction was completed.

    "No grade below "C" will be accepted toward a graduate degree. This includes C- grades.

  36. Attendance Policy: Course Attendance at First Class Meeting – Policy for Graduate Students: For structured courses, 6000 and above, the College/Campus Dean will set the first-day class attendance requirement. Check with the College for specific information. This policy is not applicable to courses in the following categories: Educational Outreach, Open University (TV), FEEDS Program, Community Experiential Learning (CEL), Cooperative Education Training, and courses that do not have regularly scheduled meeting days/times (such as, directed reading/research or study, individual research, thesis, dissertation, internship, practica, etc.). Students are responsible for dropping undesired courses in these categories by the 5th day of classes to avoid fee liability and academic penalty. (See USF Regulation – Registration - 4.0101,

    http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/ogc%20web/currentreg.htm)

    Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days by Students: In accordance with Sections 1006.53 and 1001.74(10)(g) Florida Statutes and Board of Governors Regulation 6C-6.0115, the University of South Florida (University/USF) has established the following policy regarding religious observances: (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/gc_pp/acadaf/gc10-045.htm)

    In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Blackboard site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and department websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general information.

  37. Policy on Make-up Work: “Plagiarism is defined as "literary theft" and consists of the unattributed quotation of the exact words of a published text or the unattributed borrowing of original ideas by paraphrase from a published text. On written papers for which the student employs information gathered from books, articles, or oral sources, each direct quotation, as well as ideas and facts that are not generally known to the public-at-large, must be attributed to its author by means of the appropriate citation procedure. Citations may be made in footnotes or within the body of the text. Plagiarism also consists of passing off as one's own, segments or the total of another person's work.”

    “Punishment for academic dishonesty will depend on the seriousness of the offense and may include receipt of an "F" with a numerical value of zero on the item submitted, and the "F" shall be used to determine the final course grade. It is the option of the instructor to assign the student a grade of "F" of "FF" (the latter indicating dishonesty) in the course.”

    Due to the nature of the course, no outside assignment can replace class activities. Therefore, the student is expected to notify the professor if there is a problem in completing course assignments.

  38. Program This Course Supports: Literacy Studies
  39. Course Concurrence Information: Secondary Education; Special Education


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