Content Reading

Course Details

Course Number: 6293 Section Number: X10

Fall 2011

Days & Times:

This is an online course.

Course Attachments

Textbooks

MSU Faculty Member

Dr. Linda K. Lilienthal
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Course Objectives

Students will understand that all teachers in all content areas and at all levels of education play a vital role in assisting learners to use literacy to learn content information.

Students will understand that assessment is a process of gathering and using multiple sources of data about learners’ strengths and needs.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how content area text structure and context affect text comprehension.

Students will understand how writing facilitates learning of content information.

Students will understand the importance of activating learners’ prior knowledge to promote content area comprehension.

Students will demonstrate understanding of the importance of utilizing a variety of reading materials that appeal to learners’ interests and desire to learn.

Students will demonstrate knowledge of various strategies to support content area literacy for learners of all abilities and backgrounds.

Students will demonstrate understanding of theoretical knowledge as it relates to content learning.

Course Expectations

Discussion Board and Activity Participation, 60% of the course grade: Because we lack face-to-face classroom interaction, the discussion board postings simulate what you would normally do during in-class discussions and in-class activities. Many of the discussion board postings are not just discussions but will also require participation in online readings and activities. In your postings, ask questions, answer questions, and share your experiences related to discussion topics and activities. Be aware that all class members can see what you post to the discussion board and once it is posted, it is there for everyone to read. Appropriate postings indicate respect for all persons involved in the discussion. For each discussion prompt, you are required to make one initial thoughtful posting to the discussion prompt and to respond thoughtfully to at least two other people’s postings. You will want to make your own posting early, so others will have the opportunity to respond to your posting and so that you will have the opportunity to respond to other people’s postings. To make your initial posting and to respond to postings from others, you will need to participate on at least 2 days, so you can have a discussion. Make your initial posting by Monday, and your responses to at least two other postings by Wednesday. Your postings should be thoughtful comments and responses. I will look at the content of the posting and also the time of the posting, which I am able to access. Discussion board topics and activities may come from the text or from another source. To earn full participation for each discussion board, you must make the initial posting and respond to others as least twice and on at least two different days, according to the requirements above and of the posting assignment, and as explained in the rubric found on the course homepage.

Professional Journal Article Review and Article Online Discussion, 15% of grade: As a professional educator, you should be familiar with professional research and researchers in your area of expertise. The purpose of this assignment is to broaden your knowledge of content area reading beyond the information that is presented in the course. Select and read an article concerning a content area reading topic from the text. Clear article topics with your professor before you proceed with the article. Articles should be from the professional journals listed on the first page of the syllabus or they may be a conference paper from the ERIC database. The article must be from one of these professional sources. For the content reading article you read, write a two page, double-spaced, 12 font, Times New Roman (like this syllabus) review of the article to be sent via the course homepage to the professor. Any article review that does not meet the above criteria will be returned ungraded. The review should include the following:

At the top of the page, single-spaced in APA format, identify the author, publishing date, article title, and the journal source including volume number, issue number, and pages where the article is found (single-spaced).
Provide a written summary of the article (double-spaced here and from here on).
Then provide suggestions for applications of the information from the article to your classroom setting or to the position of a reading specialist for the information. How will you use this information? Why is it important?
Finally, identify at least one question that the information in the article raised in your mind but did not answer. This should be a question you would like to pursue or about which you would like to find more information as you continue your studies. State the question and then explain why you have chosen this question and why are you interested in finding more information about it.
You will discuss with the class the information from the article you read in a discussion board posting as scheduled in the course schedule. Evaluation criteria for the article review will be provided at a later date.

Comprehensive Final Exam, 25% of the course grade: Prepare for and complete the final exam. The exam format will be multiple choice. More information about the time allotted for the exam and the exam schedule will be provided at a later date.

Grading Standards

Grades: Grades are determined by weighing the course requirements in the following manner:

Participation in discussion boards and activities 60%

Professional Journal Article Reviews and Postings 15%

Comprehensive Final Exam 25%

Grading Scale:

90 - 100 = A

80 - 89 = B

70 - 79 = C

60 - 69 = D

Submission Format Policy

All assignments will be submitted required in the syllabus.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

All assignments are due as assigned in the syllabus.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

This is an online course.

Other Policies

Syllabus Changes: This syllabus is subject to change. Any changes will be announced on the course homepage under announcements or via e-mail.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are not tolerated. Plagiarism (the act of using source material of other persons, either published or unpublished, without following the accepted techniques of crediting, or the submission for credit of work not the individual’s to whom credit is given)” (Student Handbook, p. 67) will be considered grounds for failing this course. By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a limited right in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The “limited right” shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student’s work product in order to verify originality and authenticity and for educational purposes.

Disability Access: Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify the professor and to contact the MSU Counseling and Disability Office at 940 – 397 – 4618.

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.