Department of Literacy

EDR 101. College Reading Workshop: Connecting Readers with Texts. 3 Credits.

This course will emphasize the development and improvement of college-level reading and study skills (with an emphasis on reading skills) in an academically engaging environment. The course is designed to help students develop self-awareness and goal setting; engage in academic dialogues; and improve reading and study skills. Through reading and discussing historical and contemporary texts, students will work on vocabulary development, reading strategies, and critical literacy and critical thinking skills.
Typically offered in Summer.

EDR 120. College Reading and Study Skills. 3 Credits.

This course is designed for students who wish to improve their college level reading and study skills. Students will learn a wide range of reading and writing strategies (note taking, textbook reading and marking, time management, test taking) that can be applied across disciplines and in other college courses. This course is organized around thematic inquiries so that students can practice and apply critical literacy and critical thinking skills through engaging in dialogue around cross-disciplinary issues.
Typically offered in Summer.

EDR 199. Transfer Credits. 1-50 Credits.

Transfer Credits.
Repeatable for Credit.

EDR 200. Literacy, Diversity, & Equity in K-12 Classrooms. 3 Credits.

In this course, students will explore literacy as a critical social practice. We will focus on the ways that literacy education has the potential to exclude, oppress, liberate, and empower students who have been historically marginalized in school settings because of their race, class, gender, and sexuality. Students will develop specific tools, stances, and approaches to teach towards a more just and equitable society.
Gen Ed Attribute: Diversity Requirement.
Typically offered in Spring.

EDR 303. Foundations in Reading for Students with Special Needs PreK-8. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to prepare students for teaching literacy in grades preK-8 using varied approaches (e.g., structured literacy and comprehensive) founded in various theoretical teaching models based on current research and knowledge with a focus on inclusive practices. Through readings, lectures, and class activities, students will develop a foundational understanding of the reading process and how to construct and manage a classroom environment that promotes optimal literacy learning for all learners. Students will acquire knowledge about how to support the diverse needs of learners at every stage of literacy development. In addition, students will learn how to formally and informally assess students to monitor reading progress and plan appropriate reading instruction.
Pre / Co requisites: EDR 303 requires a prerequisite of EDP 250.
Typically offered in Fall.

EDR 304. Teaching Language Arts Pre-K-4. 3 Credits.

This course examines theories, issues, methods, materials and assessments for a developmental PK-4 language arts program. Integrating reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and visually representing as tools for communication, discovery, and learning across the curriculum will be emphasized. This course is intended to enable participants to help elementary students learn to communicate using various language competencies including writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and visually representing. As pre-service teachers and as writers, it is especially important to understand the writing process and how children learn to write. Students will explore the rituals and routines that foster a supportive language arts environment and the interconnections of language, literacy, and culture. They will examine various topics, such as the writing process, writing workshop, genres of writing, listening to learn, sustaining productive talk, spelling, grammar, assessment, and integration of technology. The writing activities in this course are designed to help students see themselves as writers and to reflect on their future role as exemplary teachers of writing.
Pre / Co requisites: EDR 304 requires a prerequisite of EGP 210.
Gen Ed Attribute: Speaking Emphasis, Writing Emphasis.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.

EDR 305. Teaching Language Arts for Students with Special Needs PreK-8. 3 Credits.

This course examines theories, issues, methods, materials and assessments for a PK-8 language arts program in a special education setting. Integrating reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and visually representing as tools for communication, discovery, and learning across the curriculum will be emphasized. This course is designed to provide opportunities for students to develop their writing and speaking abilities over the course of the semester.
Pre / Co requisites: EDR 305 requires a prerequisite of EDP 250.
Gen Ed Attribute: Speaking Emphasis, Writing Emphasis.
Typically offered in Fall.

EDR 306. Teaching Language Arts 4-8. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to study current trends for integrating language arts across curriculum in the middle school setting. Emphasis is placed on the connections between listening, speaking, writing, and reading. Instructional strategies that link reading, writing, literature, and language across the curriculum will be explored. Appropriate language arts curriculum, including pedagogy for early adolescents, will be addressed.
Pre / Co requisites: EDR 306 requires a prerequisite of EDP 201 or EDP 250.
Gen Ed Attribute: Speaking Emphasis, Writing Emphasis.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.

EDR 307. Foundation in Reading PreK-4. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to prepare students for teaching reading using a balanced approach of various theoretical teaching models based on current research and knowledge. Through readings, lectures, and class activities, students will develop a solid understanding of the reading process and how to construct and manage a classroom environment that promotes optimal literacy learning. Students will acquire knowledge about how to meet the diverse needs of learners at all stages of literacy development. In addition, students will learn how to formally and informally assess students to monitor reading progress and plan appropriate reading instruction. Some sections include a service learning component that requires field clearances.
Pre / Co requisites: EDR 307 requires a prerequisite EGP 210.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

EDR 308. Foundations in Reading 4-8. 3 Credits.

This course prepares candidates to teach reading in grades 4-8 using a balanced approach of theoretical teaching models based on current research and knowledge. Through readings, lectures, and class activities, students will develop a solid understanding of the reading process; how to construct and manage a classroom envrironment that promotes optimal literacy learning; how to meet diverse needs of learners at all developmental stages; and how to assess students, monitor their progress, and plan appropriate instruction.
Pre / Co requisites: EDR 308 requires a prerequisite of EDP 201 or EDP 250.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

EDR 317. Reading Instruction and Practicum PreK-4. 6 Credits.

The teaching of reading and its mastery is the focus of this course. Students apply knowledge of theories and practices in supervised field placements in schools with children 5-9 years of age. Tutoring of individual children and small groups is integrated with planning and evaluation of lessons and activities as well as remediation. Field clearances are required.
Pre / Co requisites: EDR 317 requires prerequisites of (EGP 210 and EGP 220 and EDR 304 and EDR 307) or (EDP 250 and EDR 303 and EDR 305) and Teacher Candidacy.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.

EDR 318. Reading Instruction and Practicum 4-8. 6 Credits.

A field-based course designed for planning, teaching, and evaluating literacy practices in grades 4-8. Through observations, study, implementation, and reflections, candidates will explore strategies for improving children's literacy skills while examining how language, learning, and culture impact instruction. Guided by PA Standards-based curriculum, students will construct and teach a variety of literacy lessons. Candidates will analyze the effects of various contexts and instructional practices on children's learning. Field clearances are required.
Pre / Co requisites: EDR 318 requires prerequisites of EDP 201, MGP 220, EDR 306, EDR 308, and Teacher Candidacy.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.

EDR 321. Assessment and Instructional Interventions in Reading and Language Arts. 3 Credits.

This course examines current theories and practices for assessing literacy performance. Students learn to apply knowledge by designing and implementing literacy interventions tailored to specific needs and diverse educational environments.
Pre / Co requisites: EDR 321 requires prerequisites of EDR 307 or EDR 308.

EDR 345. Literacy Development and Students in Inclusive Classrooms. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to help students understand literacy acquisition and development for students with disabilities as defined in I.D.E.A . The course will focus on the challenges that reading and writing pose for students with disabilities and resulting appropriate assessment and instructional techniques. Content area literacy for students with disabilities will be addressed.
Pre / Co requisites: EDR 345 requires prerequisites of (EDR 304 and EDR 307) or (EDR 306 and EDR 308) or (CSD 204 or MUE 201).
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter.

EDR 347. Literacy Development and Secondary Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to help students understand literacy acquisition and development for students with disabilities. The course focuses on the challenges that reading and writing pose for students with disabilities and how appropriate assessment and instructional techniques can be used to support these learners in the regular education classroom.
Pre / Co requisites: EDR 347 requires prerequisites of EDA 103 or MUE 201.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

EDR 420. Reading in the Content Areas. 3 Credits.

This course examines content area literacy as an integrated knowledge base used for learning with text across the curriculum. Strategies and practices, including the use of technology, for enhancing reading and learning in the content areas will be explored. Considerations for environmental, linguistic, cultural, and cognitive diversity will be included.
Pre / Co requisites: EDR 420 requires prerequisite of EDR 307 or EDR 308.

EDR 422. Seminar in Reading. 3 Credits.

Intensive study of current and major trends in practices in literacy related to K-12 education.
Pre / Co requisites: EDR 422 requires prerequisite of EDR 307 or EDR 308.

EDR 425. Teaching Multimodal Literacies. 3 Credits.

Participants will learn about expanding forms of print and electronic literacy that encompass three categories of new literacies, specifically, information literacy, critical literacy and literacy as global and social practice. They will explore theories, research and methodologies associated with these literacies and develop curricula that incorporate them.