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

Syllabus

Syllabus

CSU, Chico stands on traditional Mechoopda Indian tribal lands. Without them and other native peoples, we would not have access to this campus or our education.


decorativeEnglish 632: Theories of Literacy
Fall 2022
Dr. Kim Jaxon

Email: kjaxon@csuchico.edu

Office Hours: by appointment


Course Description

This course is a graduate-level introduction to literacy and learning theory. Drawing on research from disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, psychology, and education, we will examine such fundamental questions as: What is the nature of literacy? What is the relationship between language and thought? Between literacy and learning? What is the relationship between literacy and schooling? And what is the relationship between literacy and social, economic, political development, and even happiness?

We will work toward an understanding of literacy as enabling rather than causal, as embedded within society, and as depending for its meaning and practice upon social institutions and conditions. We will also attempt to push the limits of current theorizing, asking how we might now most helpfully define, teach, and study literacy, if our goal is for all children, youth, and adults—but most especially those who’ve been poorly served economically and educationally—to celebrate powerful identities as communicators.

Finally, as we read, research, and talk together, we will continue to ask: what counts as literacy and whose literacy counts?

Materials & Access

  • Readings are available in a platform called Perusall; this will allow us to share annotations. Nothing to buy related to reading.
  • We’ll have a small cost (less than $20?) related to our poster session at the end of the semester.
  • We’ll use two platforms for our work together:
    • Persusall:  Perusall allows us to read together and create shared annotations.
    • My website. You are here now. 😉
      • A note about Data ethics: I take the privacy and security of student data seriously. Here is a helpful link to information about Google’s privacy policies. You can find links to manage your activity and stay informed about the way Google uses your information. Link to Perusall’s privacy statement here. I do not track user information on my WordPress site and you will not need to log in to use.

Determining Your Final Course Grade: 

  • Reading Together: annotations in Perusall 20%
  • Featured Curator 10%
  • Literacy Interviews 15%
  • Keyword 15%
  • Literacy Project (Memos, Mini Lit Review, Poster Session) 40%

(see Assignment tab for descriptions)


Any student who has difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this may affect their performance in the course, is urged to contact the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry. Furthermore, please notify the professor if you are comfortable in doing so. This will enable her to provide any resources that she may possess. 

COVID-19 Campus Update for fall 2022

All students are required to complete their COVID-19 Vaccination Self-Certification by 8/15/2022. For additional information regarding this requirement please visit https://www.csuchico.edu/coronavirus/vaccine-certification-student.shtml 

Chico State may at any time require the use of an approved face covering which covers the nose and mouth in all indoor campus spaces and in order to participate in this course when in person. When face coverings are optional, masks are always welcome on campus. You will be notified if face coverings are required.

Policies and requirements regarding COVID-19 are subject to change pursuant to campus, local, state and/or federal guidelines. Please note that dishonesty relating to the vaccination policy and/or failure to comply with any COVID-19 related safety policy or mandate may result in disciplinary action through the office of Student Conduct, Rights and Responsibilities, which can include suspension or expulsion from the California State University system.

It is very important to contact the COVID-19 hotline if symptomatic, have been exposed, or have tested positive for COVID-19. The hotline is (530) 898-2222 or covidhotline@csuchico.edu.

Americans with Disabilities Act

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability or chronic illness, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Please also contact Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) as they are the designated department responsible for approving and coordinating reasonable accommodations and services for students with disabilities. ARC will help you understand your rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide you further assistance with requesting and arranging accommodations.

Confidentiality and Mandatory Reporting

As a Chico State professor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment for Chico State students.  It is my goal that you feel able to share information related to your life experiences in classroom discussions, in your written work, and in our one-on-one meetings. I will seek to keep information you share private to the greatest extent possible.  However, I am required to share information regarding sexual misconduct with the University.

Students may speak to someone confidentially by contacting the Counseling and Wellness Center (898-6345) or Safe Place (898-3030).  Information about campus reporting obligations and other Title IX related resources are available here: www.csuchico.edu/title-ix

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