Michigan Department of Education
Periodic Review/Program Evaluation/NCATE Review
Language, Literature, and Writing
Program Narrative
A. Philosophy, Rationale, and Objectives
The Secondary English Education Program is designed to prepare students for teaching the language arts in middle and high schools. Students who pursue the teaching major in Language, Literature, and Writing are required to take a minimum of 36 hours which includes study in English, American, and World literature; in writing for varied purposes and audiences and in multiple genres; in the structure and dynamics of language; and in the theory, research, and methods of teaching the language arts. Within these four areas of study (literature, composition, language, and pedagogy), students alternate between required courses and choices among courses falling under specified rubrics. In this way, students achieve both coverage and depth, becoming exposed to certain concepts and skills necessary for all teachers of language arts, but pursuing in some depth personal areas of interest.
In addition to this major, students must complete 43 hours in General Studies requirements, 21 hours in a teaching minor, and 39 hours in professional studies including student teaching and approved field experience (FETE) courses.
The English Education program at EMU is committed to developing knowledgeable and reflective teachers of literacy. Faculty members work with both pre-service and practicing teachers in a variety of ways:
• in undergraduate methods courses (English 408, 409, and Literature 479);• in graduate programs, particularly in the Teaching of Writing Strand of the Masters Degree in Written Communication;• through the Eastern Michigan Writing Project including courses, workshops and other outreach to schools.
Our programs and courses emphasize effective practices for the teaching of literacy, consistent with the Michigan and National Content Standards for English and Language Arts and reflect the following:
• pedagogies which reflect an integration of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing;• pedagogies which are learner-centered and inquiry-based;• pedagogies which celebrate both process and product, and which draw upon multiple means of creating and displaying knowledge;• pedagogies which stress contextual learning, with multiple opportunities for reflection, revision, and assessment;• an emphasis on literature which spans diverse cultures, ethnicities, genders, time periods, and audiences;• an emphasis on teachers as primary models of literacy in the classroom
B. Sequence of courses
Students seeking a major in Language, Literature, and Writing complete courses in general studies, required courses in English, a series of courses selected to fulfill specific requirements within the major,
and a series of courses in professional preparation. The Major in Language, Literature, and Writing has been revised within the past two years to reflect stronger emphasis in linguistics, culture, genre, and author studies in addition to strong coursework in diverse literary periods and styles. All courses address core concepts to support understanding of writing and literature, require students to routinely use inquiry and technology in the production of papers and projects, and engage students through lecture, discussion, and group work in examination of ideas, facts, and values essential to the discipline. The follow sequence provides details of course work leading to the Major.
General Studies Courses
All university students must successfully complete a series of General Studies courses. These include
• 5 courses in Symbolics and Communication• 3 courses in Science and Technology• 4 courses in Social Science• 4 courses in Arts and Humanities.
Within these courses students must take at least 1 course in written communication, 1 course in speech communication, and an upper-level course in either written communication or speech communication; 2 courses in literature (for those in the teaching major or minor, either Literature 204 (Native American Literature or Literature 260 (African American Literature) must be successfully completed.
Candidates seeking secondary certification in Literature, Language, and Writing are required to complete 36 hours of disciplinary study and 42 hours of professional studies in accordance with the following rubrics. In addition, certification candidates must complete a minor in an approved discipline.
| Teaching Major | ||
| Required Courses: 9 hours | ||
| English 227 Writing about Literature | 3 | |
| Linguistics 201 An Introduction to Linguistics | 3 | |
| English 408 Writing for Writing Teachers | 3 | |
| One to be chosen from each category: 27 hours | ||
| A Linguistics 401 Introduction to Linguistic Science | 3 |
|
| Linguistics 402 Modern English Grammar | 3 | |
| Linguistics 421 The History of the English Language | 3 | |
b. English 328 Writing Style and Language |
3 | |
| English 421 Writing about Controversies | 3 | |
| c. Literature 204 Native American Literature* |
3 | |
| Literature
260 African American Literature* *(may be taken as part of General Studies) |
3 | |
| d. Literature 312 English Literature of the Middle Ages | 3 | |
| Literature 314 English Renaissance from 1500-1660 | 3 | |
| Literature 315 Literature of the Neo-Classical Period 1660-1798 | 3 | |
| e. Literature 309 The Development of American Literature | 3 | |
| Literature 310 Modern American Literature | 3 | |
| Literature
316 Romantic Rebellion in |
3 | |
| Literature 317 Victorian and Edwardian Literature 1832-1914 | 3 | |
| Literature 360 Recent Trends in British and American Literature | 3 | |
| f. Literature 413 The Poetry of Chaucer | 3 | |
| Literature 405 Shakespeare | 3 | |
| Literature 450 Major Authors | 3 | |
| g. Literature 411 Studies in Epic and Romance | 3 | |
| Literature 420 Studies in the British Novel | 3 | |
| Literature 421 Studies in the American Novel | 3 | |
| Literature 422 The Novel in Global Perspective | 3 | |
| Literature 430 Studies in Drama | 3 | |
| Literature 440 Genre Studies | 3 | |
| Literature 470 Studies in Poetry | 3 | |
| h. Literature 443 Women in Literature | 3 | |
| Literature 480 Literature and Culture | 3 | |
| Literature 300 Narrative in Literature and Film | 3 | |
| Elective Classes: 3 credits | ||
| English 323 Writing in the Professional World | 3 | |
| English 324 Principles of Technical Communication | 3 | |
| English 326 Research Writing | 3 | |
| English 335 Imaginative Writing | 3 | |
| Journalism 215 News Writing and Reporting | 3 | |
| Linguistics 205 English Words | 3 | |
| Linguistics 310 African American Language | 3 | |
| Linguistics 340 Language and Culture | 3 | |
| Literature 210 Introduction to Shakespeare | 3 | |
| Literature 251 The Bible as Literature | 3 | |
| Literature 479 Secondary Literature Methods* | 3 | |
| Total in major | 36 | |
| *Note: Literature 479 was introduced into the program as an elective course last year. It is currently in the approval process and will be included as a recommended elective course in the program. | ||
| Professional Studies | ||
| Pre-admission Phase: The Learner and the Community | ||
| EDPS 322 Human Development and Learning | 4 | |
| FETE 202 Field Experience I | 1 | |
| SPGN 251 Education of Students with Exceptionalities | 3 | |
| Phase I: Curriculum and Assessment and the Social Context | ||
| SOFD 328 Schools in a Multicultural Society | 3 | |
| CURR 305 Curriculum and Methods, Secondary | 3 | |
| EDPS 340 Introduction to Assessment and Evaluation | 3 | |
| FETE 302 Field Experience II Secondary | 1 | |
| Phase II: Content Methods, Literacy, and Technology | ||
| EDMT 330 Instructional Applications of Media and Technology | 2 | |
| ENGL 409 Secondary English Methods | 3 | |
| RDNG 311 Teaching Reading in the Secondary School | 3 | |
| FETE 402 Field Experience III: Secondary | 1 | |
| Phase III: Capstone Experience | ||
| EDUC 492 Student teaching | 12 | |
| Teaching Minor | 21 | |
| All
students seeking Language, Literature, and Writing certification must complete a minor from an approved field of study. (See Section 2.A) |
||
| Language, Literature, Writing Minor | ||
| Students at the secondary level may seek a Minor in Language, Literature, and Writing consisting of 24 hours. The Minor mirrors requirements for the Major with both required courses and restricted electives reflecting emphases in linguistics, writing, and diverse literature reflecting various genres, periods, contemporary and classic authors, and cultures. | ||
| Teaching Minor | Required Courses: 9 hours | |
| English 227 Writing about Literature | 3 | |
| Linguistics 201 An Introduction to Linguistics | 3 | |
| English 408 Writing for Writing Teachers | 3 | |
| One to be chosen from each category: 15 hours | ||
| a. Literature 204 Native American Literature* | 3 | |
| Literature 260 African American Literature* | 3 | |
| * (may be taken as part of General Studies) | ||
| b. Literature 309 The Development of American Literature | 3 | |
| Literature 310 Modern American Literature | 3 | |
| Literature 312 English Literature of the Middle Ages | 3 | |
| Literature 314 English Renaissance from 1500-1660 | 3 | |
| Literature 315 Literature of the Neo-Classical Period 1660-1798 | 3 | |
| Literature
316 Romantic Rebellion in |
3 | |
| Literature 317 Victorian and Edwardian Literature 1832-1914 | 3 | |
| Literature 360 Recent Trends in British and American Literature | 3 | |
| c. Literature 405 Shakespeare | 3 | |
| Literature 411 Studies in Epic and Romance | 3 | |
| Literature 413 The Poetry of Chaucer | 3 | |
| Literature 420 Studies in the British Novel | 3 | |
| Literature 421 Studies in the American Novel | 3 | |
| Literature 422 The Novel in Global Perspective | 3 | |
| Literature 430 Studies in Drama | 3 | |
| Literature 440 Genre Studies | 3 | |
| Literature 443 Women in Literature | 3 | |
| Literature 450 Major Authors | 3 | |
| Literature 470 Studies in Poetry | 3 | |
| Literature 480 Literature and Culture | 3 | |
| d. Linguistics 401 Introduction to Linguistic Science | 3 | |
| Linguistics 402 Modern English Grammar | 3 | |
| Linguistics 421 The History of the English Language | 3 | |
| e. English 328 Writing Style and Language | 3 | |
| English 421 Writing about Controversies | 3 | |
| Total in major | 24 | |
C. Preparation in instructional approaches
Students are provided instruction in methods for meeting various learning styles and needs through both courses specifically designed to address these skills and in courses that require application of these skills. Courses such as SOFD 328, CURR 305, EDPS 340, EDMT 330, ENGL 408 and 409 all offer instruction in a host of approaches to support pre-service students as they prepare pre- and post-assessments, design instruction, gather materials, and plan daily lessons. Courses like FETE 302 and 304, EDUC 492, and ENGL 409 require pre-service students to demonstrate their ability to meet a broad spectrum of adolescent learning needs through the development of unit plans for instruction and through interaction with adolescent learners.
In EDUC 492 and ENGL 409, students compile and reflect upon a portfolio of artifacts that reflect their competence in teaching as well as their proficiency as readers, writers, and thinkers. Portfolios are designed for a public audience.
D. Differences between elementary and secondary preparation for majors and minors
Students may complete a major or minor in Language, Literature, and Writing which can serve as a major or minor for certification in the secondary and special education programs. All majors are required to take the Secondary English Methods course (ENGL 409). Students completing a minor in English as a part of their Special Education certification also take ENGL 409; other students take the methods course in their area of major concentration.
E. Gender equity, multi-cultural, and global perspectives into the teaching of the subject area
As noted above, the Language, Literature, and Writing major and minor were re-designed within the past two years to specifically address student needs in this area. Within the English course sequence, students are provided rich course offerings in multi-cultural literature in both LITR 204 and LITR 260; in addition, multi-culture literature is incorporated throughout the program as appropriate. In particular, LITR 309, LITR 310, LITR 360, LITR 421, LITR 422, LITR 430, LITR 440, LITR 470, LITR 443, LITR 479 and LITR 480 address equity, multi-cultural, and/or global perspectives. In addition, professional preparation courses such as SPFD 328 and ENGL 409 specifically engage students in discussion of issues and literatures addressing these areas.
F. Multiple methods of student assessment appropriate to the content area
All students are required to take a course in assessment (EDPS 340) in which they investigate and experiment with a host of assessment models. In CURR 305 these assessments models and techniques are applied as pre- and post-assessments in practice instructional units. In the capstone methods class, ENGL 409, assessment is again discussed with specific emphasis on the state MEAP/HPT and diverse assessment methods for use with literature and writing. In both the ENGL 408 and ENGL 409 settings, students read diverse professional books and articles, many of which address assessment related issues and experiment with rubrics as reflective and evaluative tools. In EDUC 492 and ENGL 409, students compile and reflect upon a portfolio of artifacts that reflect their competence in teaching as well as their proficiency as readers, writers, and thinkers. Portfolios are designed for a public audience.
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