Recommended Readings
Teaching Academic Literacies in Higher Education - Theories/Potential Models
Gunn, C., Hearne, S, & Sibthorpe, J. (2011). Right from the start: A rationale for embedding academic literacy skills in university courses. Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice, 8(1). [Full text at York U]
Haggis, T. (2006). Pedagogies for diversity: Retaining critical challenge amidst fears of ‘dumbing down’. Studies in Higher Education, 31(5), 521-535. [Full text at York U]
Hill, P & Tinker, A. (2013). Integrating learning development into the student experience. Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, 5. [Open access journal article]
Lea, M. R. (2004). Academic literacies: A pedagogy for course design. Studies in Higher Education, 23(2), 157-72. [Full text at York U]
Johns, A.M. (1997). Text, role and context: Developing academic literacies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [Available at York U]
Shanahan, T, & Shanahan, C. (2008). Teaching disciplinary literacy to adolescents: Rethinking content-area literacy. Harvard Educational Review, 78(1), 40-59. [Full text at York U]
Wingate, U. (2006). Doing away with “study skills.” Teaching in Higher Education, 11(4), 457–469. [Full text at York U]
Recommended Sources: Cases, Course Assignment/Activiity Examples, and Sample Syllabi with an Academic Literacies Focus
Coonan, E., & Secker, J. (2011). A new curriculum for information literacy: Reports and outputs. [Available at http://newcurriculum.wordpress.com/project-reports-and-outputs/]
Strand three in this curriculum focuses on academic literaices, and includes sample learning outcomes, as well as examples of corresponding activites and assessments.
University of Huddersfield. Embedding skills: Integrating learning development in the student experience. Available at: http://embeddingskills.hud.ac.uk/ Creative Commons License applies.
Related Readings: Discourse Communities, Sociocultural Ideas of Learning & Academic Literacies
Bakhtin, M.M. (1986). Speech genres & other late essays. Austin, University of Texas Press. [Available at York University Libraries]
Gee, J.P. (2012). Social linguistis and literacies: Ideology in discourses, critical perspectives on literacy and education (4th ed). Abingdon, Oxon, Routledge. [Available at York University Libraries]
Langer, J.A. (1987). A sociocognitive perspective on literacy. In J.A. Langer (Ed.), Language, literacy and culture: Issues of society and schooling (pp. 1-20). Norwood, NJ: Ablex. [Available at York University Libraries]
Subject librarians are available to advise course instructors on effective pedagogical approaches for developing students’ critical thinking about information and the information-seeking process, including the ability to find, retrieve, evaluate, analyze, use and cite information. They are also available to provide tailored course-specific information literacy sessions on request.
See Faculty/Instructor Support, Book a Library Class
Writing Department: York instructors can direct students to the Writing Centre (a division within the Writing Department) for help with academic writing. Assistance is available through appointments with writing tutors, small-group workshops, or online writing help (e-Tutor). In addition to offering credit courses, the Writing Department can be contacted by York instructors wishing to organize a tailored course-related writing-focussed session.
Learning Skills Services staff is available to consult with faculty, T.A.'s, staff or student groups about Learning Skills. On a limited first-come, first-served basis, a Learning Skills Specialist can visit individual classes or other campus events to provide sessions on academic skills. For more information, contact them at 416-736-5297.