Seminar in Reading and Language Arts Research Syllabus

RE 5710-375

Fall Term, 2009

 

Copies of Your Literature Reviews:

Copies of Your Best Practice Syntheses:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Class and Instructor Info:

Class meetings:  Mondays, 5 – 8 pm at North Carolina School of the Arts, Workplace West V, Room 112 (Mapquest map for class location.)

Instructor: Dr. David A. Koppenhaver

Office:  Edwin Duncan Hall 123B

Tel.:  (828) 262-6074, Skype: Dave Koppenhaver

Email:  koppenhaverd@appstate.edu

Homepage: http://faculty.rcoe.appstate.edu/koppenhaverd/

Office Hours: By appointment. 

Course Description
The Graduate Bulletin describes this class as follows:  Current theory and research in reading and the language arts are examined.  Students select a topic in which to pursue in-depth study and then their newly-acquired knowledge is applied to classroom teaching. Emphasis is placed on assisting teachers to be leaders in school settings.  This course should be taken at the end of the Master of Arts program."

Several years ago, the ASU Reading Program redesigned the Masters program to meet requirements for Advanced Licensure in Reading Education.  One of the outcomes of this revision was the elimination of Comprehensive Exams in favor of the Product of Learning.  Traditionally, Comprehensive Exams have served two purposes:  (1) to review the content of the degree program, and (2) to provide an opportunity for students to deeply examine a topic that they encountered during the program.  It was decided that the Seminar class would replace the traditional exam. Therefore, the purpose of this course is to review and extend the knowledge you have acquired in the Reading Masters program.

Course Goals

 

You will:
(a) review
the knowledge you have acquired during the Masters Program and in your own professional experiences and apply them in examining and (re)designing your current practice;

(b) examine in-depth a topic of professional interest in order to synthesize what the reading field understands about that topic; and

(c) engage n professional dialogue and reading that will increase your professional knowledge base

Methods of Instruction
Multiple methods of instruction will be used:  lecture, discussion, workshops, cooperative groups, computer lab research, and independent study. You will take an active role as peer instructors in the class.

Texts
All readings will be linked to the online course calendar and/or in online reserves. A strong emphasis will be placed on applied studies in public school classrooms. You and/or I will determine them as we go.


Individual Needs
Appalachian State University is committed to making reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented qualifying disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Those seeking accommodations based on a substantially limiting disability must contact and register with The Office of Disability Services (ODS) at http://www.ods.appstate.edu or 828-262-3056. Once registration is complete, individuals will meet with ODS staff to discuss eligibility and appropriate accommodations.


University Writing Center
The University Writing Center (Rm 008, Belk Library & Information Commons) is open Monday-Thursday (9am-6pm) and on Friday (9am-1pm). Consultants will work with you one-on-one and provide assistance with style, organization, content, voice, grammar, and documentation (including MLA and APA formats). In addition to your draft and/or any pre-writing notes, bring your assignment to your session. For more information, visit www.writingcenter.appstate.edu. To make an appointment, call 262-3144
.

Equal Opportunity Policy: Appalachian State University is committed to providing equal opportunity in education and employment to all applicants, students, and employees.  The university does not discriminate in access to its educational programs and activities, or with respect to hiring or the terms and conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, gender identity and expression, political affiliation, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. The university actively promotes diversity among students and employees.


On-Line Course Resources:

Office of Extension and Distance Education: http://www.ext-dl.appstate.edu/
ASU Library, http://www.library.appstate.edu/

Distance Learning Library Services, http://www.library.appstate.edu/distance_learning/
RE 5710 Research Guides: http://www.library.appstate.edu/reference/subjectguides/education.html and http://www.library.appstate.edu/reference/classguides/re5710.html
Online Community, http://www.nicenet.org

Grading                   

Community of Practice, including Threaded Discussion
20%
Comprehensive Exam Paper #1: Literature Review or Synthesis 40%
Comprehensive Exam Paper #2: Best Practice Analysis and Synthesis 40%

Inclement Weather Policy

I will make every effort to conduct scheduled classes, and I hope you will make every effort to participate in scheduled classes.  If weather (or anything else) prevents you from attending class, please call me, the sooner the better.  In the event that I cancel class or Winston-Salem State is closed, Extension and Distance Education will post a notice on their website.  The direct link is: http://www.ext-dl.appstate.edu/cancellations.html.  One additional resource that may be helpful as you individually determine the advisability of driving to class is the NC Dept of Transportation's Traveler Information Management System, http://apps.dot.state.nc.us/tims/. Click on the region, and then enter the highways or road(s) you're interested in.

Our class phone tree is here, so that you know whom and where to call in the event of class cancellation. Please download ahead of time and keep where you can access it as needed.

Calendar and Assignments

A course calendar will evolve as the class progresses. All dates and assignments on the calendar should be viewed as tentative until we finalize them in class. 

Last updated 9/3/09 by David Koppenhaver.