Weekly Featured Writers

Each week, 1-2 people will curate the ideas and writing from our class into a featured blog. We will use these blogs to connect with colleagues outside our course.

Dr. Kim Jaxon

Website: kimjaxon.com/me

Office Hours Fall 2022 by appointment.

Email: kjaxon@csuchico.edu

Literacy is a Rubik’s Cube, Good Luck

Literacy is a Rubik’s Cube, Good Luck

“Literacy” may seem like a simple four-syllable word to some, but the idea behind it is considerably more complex than the 17x17x17 Rubik’s cube designed by Oskar Van Deventer. It doesn’t fit into a certain mold because there is so much to consider.

 

With a quick Google search, the noun’s definition appears on screen as “ability to read and write, reading/writing proficiency; competence or knowledge in a specified area.” Sounds simple enough, right? Well, it isn’t. While the read/write definition has been long-standing, it isn’t necessarily correct since it fails to consider how multifaceted the concept of literacy actually is in relation to those who do not fall within a/the general populace that the definition adheres to (if it adheres at all, which is a question that acts as a plague when attempting to define it).

 

Literacy studies, as I have come to understand, are hodge podge of educational theories and practices that are either supported or disputed with more theories and practices due to the multitude of objectives associated with them. But despite my lack of depth on the subject(s) there are still certain aspects that have resonated with me during my journey of literacy comprehension.

 

Here are just a few of the un-aligning (is that a word?) “Rubik’s Cube attributes” of literacy studies that fall within my realm of understanding thus far:

 

Sponsors

 

  • A sponsor of literacy is just as broad of a term as literacy, but it applies to the influences that certain resources and conditions have over literacy practices and events. Sponsors basically advocate their disciples and either intentionally or unintentionally shape the literacy practices of those following their lead by example. For instance, parents or teachers shape those practices of children; even though the practices of the adults may conflict—which could pose a problem for the children trying to learn from their examples.  

 

“The Great Divide”

 

  • One argument that I primarily understand about “The Great Divide” is that it essentially draws a line between what it means to be considered part of a “primitive” or “civilized” culture. And as part of the Western culture from an intellectual and/or psychological standpoint, this means certain expectations of literacy come into play when asserting a judgment of an individual’s or group’s intellect. If one does not comply with those Western expectations then one is not considered to be “literate.” This poses an immense problem when examining other cultures, sociecomonics, ideologies, etc. because the ideas of “global literacy” and “local literacy” conflict.

 

New Literacies

 

  • Take into consideration of introducing technology to literacy practices and events. Technology has the power to enhance (or hinder, depending how you look at it) these practices and events, but that does not mean the same technologies will be used in the same methods from place to place, e.g., culture to culture. I remember reading an excerpt about a New Guinea tribe (right now, I can’t for the life of me remember the article I took this from) adopted literacy practices from missionaries. However, the global and the (limited?) local literacies were at odds and a hybrid literacy materialized as a repurposed practice that did not fit into either the “global” or “local” literacy “rules” previously put into place.

 

Just by these few examples, the question of “should ‘literacy’ be redefined?” may come to mind. I say yes, but you may ask “how”? To which I answer, who the hell knows. This is been a hot topic of debate amongst scholars—and whoever else attempts to make sense of the broad scope that is literacy—and there has yet been a conclusive result. However, insights into how literacy acts as more than an agency in social, cultural, political, economic, technological, and historical practices allow for plenty of exploration and understanding to how it surpasses the read/write definition. So, when it comes down to meaning, “literacy” can’t be deduced to a one-lined definition. It deserves a whole effing dictionary-length definition for itself. And the study of literacy is destined to be boundless forever. Forever, I tell you.

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