READ 595: Multicultural Literature: PK-12 (1-cr)

COURSE
DESCRIPTION

This one-credit course offers a workshop approach to enhancing teachers' ability to locate, evaluate, and incorporate quality multicultural literature into their grade-level curriculum. Learners will read and explore selected fiction, poetry, and non-fiction works by noted contemporary authors in the realm of multicultural literature. Learners will familiarize themselves with new authors and titles, explore activities which introduce students to multicultural literature, and develop resource lists for their own classrooms and school libraries.

PREREQUISITES

Graduate standing. Learners are assumed to be K-12 teachers or those who are seeking K-12 endorsements at the graduate level. Recommended for all grade-level and content-area teachers (especially teachers of language arts, social studies, ESL and foreign languages, and the sciences) who are interested in adding quality multicultural literature to students' current reading lists in the content area.

COURSE
STRUCTURE

This is an online Blackboard course. Learners will complete textbook readings with posted reflections; post to whole class discussion forums; provide feedback to other learners; and complete assignments.

STANDARDS

This course supports the following International Reading Association's 2003 Standards for Reading Professionals:

2.3	Use a wide range of curriculum materials in effective reading instruction for learners at different stages of reading and writing development and from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
4.2	Use a large supply of books, technology-based information, and non-print materials representing multiple levels, broad interests, and cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
4.3	Model reading and writing enthusiastically as valued lifelong activities.
4.4	Motivate learners to be lifelong readers.

PRACTICAL
APPLICATIONS

Identify and evaluate quality multicultural literature for learner's grade and content areas
Introduce children in learner's classes to selected multicultural titles and discuss reactions with teaching peers.
Create an annotated bibliography of quality multicultural literature for use in a given content area or series of themed lessons.

CORE/ELECTIVE

This graduate course can be used as 1 elective credit in the Literature thematic area in the 24-credit Reading Endorsement program, the 12-credit Literary Education program, or for individual professional development.

INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Allen Evans, Associate Professor, College of Education, Eastern Oregon University.

TARGET
AUDIENCE

K-12 teachers and those seeking the Reading Specialist endorsement.

TIME
COMMITMENT

Students should expect to spend 3 hours per week for 10 weeks in course-related activities (e.g., reading the text and course materials, posting to discussion forums, completing written reports/papers and classroom-based assignments). This course is online and does not require in-person attendance. Assignments are completed on the learner's time schedule and are due as posted.

TEXTBOOKS

Textbook(s) are required for this course. You will find the textbook listed in the syllabus that is posted online at the EOU website or you may contact the instructor. For most classes, the EOU Bookstore will be a source for the textbook.

COST

No course in the ReadOregon curriculum will cost more than $330 per credit, including all fees, for students in the ReadOregon program.

CONTACT(S)

For more details on this course, please contact Dr. Allen Evans, Eastern Oregon University.