Week 1 Introduction Sessions

Session 1.1 About this course and your own interests

Agenda:

a. Watch the course introduction video

b. Read the syllabus, schedule, and expectations in the General Information folder

c. Post at least 1 or 2 questions or comments about the course to the discussion "Course Questions and Comments."

d. Post a little information about your own interests in relationship to this course and your own experience with the study of language, literature, and literacy on your research journal.

e. Listen to the Breeze/PowerPoint Introduction to Language Concepts and Language Research.p>

f. Start your own working glossary of key concepts.

Session 1.2  Introducing Language Concepts

Agenda

a. Skim through the Introduction to Language and Literacy.
b. Start reading Chapter 1, pausing on pp.15-16 to focus on Melanie’s “Boys at the Science Museum” story,answering questions about it in your own notes.
c. Listen to the audio of “Boys at the Science Museum” in KMS audio files. Add to your notes about this exchange.
d. Continue reading Ch. 1, with particular attention to Halliday’s functions of language, pp. 16-17.  Reading assignment
e .Post understandings and questions to the language concepts threaded discussion board.
f. Read others’ postings and add further comments in response.
g. Take language concepts quiz 1.

Session 1.3 Applying Language Concepts to Literature

Agenda:

a. Read Cisneros, “Sire” (on electronic reserves).  Answer questions, in your own notes, about this reading.

b. Listen to the audio file of "Sire" and add to your notes.

c. Read Roddy Doyle, "The Woman Who Walked into Doors" Chapter 2 (pp. 3 and 4) Questions for Notes

d. Listen to the audio file of Doyle Ch. 2 and add to your notes.

e. Post your comments on Cisneros' story and the other narratives to the literature blog and comment on two other postings.  What can you say about the language of these narratives using the key concepts introduced in Chapter 1?  What questions do you have about the concepts as you apply them here?

f. Go back to the language concepts discussion thread and add any questions and further comments.