Syllabus
We acknowledge and are mindful that CSU, Chico stands on lands that were originally occupied by the first people of this area, and we recognize the Mechoopda and their distinctive spiritual relationship with this land and the waters that run through campus. We are humbled that our campus resides upon sacred lands that once sustained the Mechoopda people for centuries.
English 332: Introduction to Literacy Studies
Fall 2022
Our Course Website: http://kimjaxon.com/engl332
Dr. Kim Jaxon
Office hours by appointment. (Email me and we can schedule to meet in Zoom or in person at a time that works for you)
Email: kjaxon@csuchico.edu (best way to reach me)
Email for sharing Google Docs: kjaxon@mail.csuchico.edu
Course Description
Welcome to English 332! This course introduces you to the interdisciplinary field of literacy studies. We’ll explore historical and current discussions that play out in our culture around the uses of literacy. We’ll especially focus on digital literacy and consider how technology has rapidly changed the ways that literacy is used and understood. As a preview, check out this baby shark video below. We could then ask: If this is the future of literacy–interaction with devices through verbal or visual forms–what are the implications for future literacies? Are we returning to an oral, storytelling, culture? How do material forms, like screens, change our literacies and what we’re expected to do with them? What’s up with hashtags, emojis, and GIFs? What uses do we have for various forms of literacy?
Our guiding question this semester: What counts as literacy and whose literacies count?
Materials & Access
- Readings are available as links in a platform called Perusall; this will allow us to share annotations. Nothing to buy. ;-)
- We’ll use two platforms for our work together:
- Persusall: Perusall allows us to read together and create shared annotations. Once you create an account on the site, you’ll join our class’ readings with our course code, which I will share in class.
- 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.
Course Grades. Link to Assignments here
- Reading and Annotating in Perusall 80 points
- Peer Feedback 30 points
- Tracing Your Literacies (data collection & paper) 20 points
- Literacy Interview (interview & paper) 25 points
- Digital & Multimodal Literacies (data collection & paper/artifact) 25 points
- Schooled Literacies (data collection & paper) 30 points
- Literacy Project (30 points)
- Reflection (20 points)
Participation (please read)
I am not a fan of attendance policies. They are uninviting and too much like school for me. Over 20+ years of teaching, I’ve tried out every possible configuration, including no policy at all. Here’s my hope for this strange semester: I’d like to recommend that you can miss four classes. Any more than 2 weeks of class and I fear you’ll feel out of the loop and our community. Our job as a class: create an environment where you want to be here and missing is simply due to some life going on… And, of course, if you are ill, please don’t come to class. We’ll figure it out.
Campus Support & Resources
Meeting Basic Needs
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 is urged to contact the Wildcat Basic Needs Program. Furthermore, please notify me if you are comfortable in doing so. This will enable me to provide any resources that I may possess. Please reach out: I am here to help.
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
DACA
Information and support for Dreamers and allies (created by Dr. Hannah Burdette in ILLC)