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COM 307: Language and Literacy Development

Course Description

This course will focus on the linguistic components of literacy development and the significant role that both speech and language play within this development. Students will examine the characteristics of children's development of literacy skills, the characteristics of delayed and disordered literacy development, and their link to speech and language development. Students will examine each of the five components of language (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics) as they relate to literacy development. Students will be exposed to evidence-based interventions for delayed and disordered literacy development and the role of the speech-language pathology assistant within the prevention and intervention processes.

(3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Describe the language processing requirements of word reading and fluent passage reading.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational role that spoken language plays in literacy and the development of reading and writing, the reciprocal connection between spoken and written language, by describing how spoken language difficulties affect a child’s acquisition of reading and writing abilities.
  3. Distinguish the differences between preventative approaches, early intervention approaches, and the evidence-based intervention approaches used in collaborative service delivery for language literacy skills, including those used in the Response to Intervention (CT: SRBI) tiers.
  4. Analyze the connection between the five components of language (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics) and the five precepts of literacy (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension) to identify specific learning activities that facilitate development.
  5. Analyze the findings of scientific consensus reports on the phase of learning to read and write and the nature of skilled reading.
  6. Describe the etiology, prevalence, and main characteristics of dyslexia and explain the roles of members of literacy teams involved in the prevention, screening, assessment, and intervention of individuals with reading disabilities.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

20%

Quizzes (Weeks 1-6)

20%

Assignments (Weeks 1-7)

20%

Key Assessment (Week 8)

20%

Final Exam (Week 8)

20%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • Moats, Louisa C. Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers. 3rd Brooks Publishing, 2020. 
  • Moats, Louisa C., & Rosow, Bruce. Speech to Print Workbook: Language Essentials for Teachers. Brooks Publishing, 2020. 
  • Wallach, Geraldine, & Ocampo, Alaine. Language and Literacy Connections: Intervention for School-Age Children and Adolescents. Plural Publishing, 2022. 

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

2,5

Topic: Introduction to Language and Literacy

  • Review Getting Started information
  • Review Syllabus
  • Read assigned chapters and materials
  • View videos
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Complete Quiz
  • Submit Assignment - Ehri’s Phases of Reading Development

2

2,4

Topic: Phonetics

  • Read assigned chapters and materials
  • Review the lecture material
  • View videos
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Complete Quiz
  • Submit Assignment - Phonemes, Speech Sound Development & Distinctive Features

3

2,4

Topic: Phonology

  • Read assigned chapters and materials
  • Review the lecture material
  • View videos
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Complete Quiz
  • Submit Assignment - Phonological and Phonemic Awareness Activity/Analysis

4

2,4,5

Topic: Orthography and Reading/Writing Fluency

  • Read assigned chapters and materials
  • Review the lecture material
  • View videos
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Complete Quiz
  • Submit Assignment - Phoneme-Grapheme Relationship, Syllables and Syllable Spelling Rules

5

4

Topic: Morphology and Syntax: How words and sentence parts work

  • Read assigned chapters and materials
  • Review the lecture material
  • View videos
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Complete Quiz
  • Submit Assignment -  Morphology and Syntax in Sentence Structure

6

1,4

Topic: Semantics/Comprehension and Pragmatics: Word meaning, overall comprehension and context

  • Read assigned chapters and materials
  • Review the lecture material
  • View videos
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Complete Quiz
  • Submit Assignment - Increasing Vocabulary Knowledge and Reading Comprehension Skills

7

3,6

Topic: SRBI/RTI/MTSS and Intervention Approaches

  • Read assigned chapters and materials
  • Review the lecture material
  • View videos
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit Assignment - Understanding RTI/MTSS Frameworks: Importance and Evidence-Based Approaches Assignment

8

4,6

Topic: The Science of Reading, Structured Literacy and Dyslexia

  • Read assigned chapters and materials
  • Review the lecture material
  • View videos
  • Participate in discussions
  • Complete Final Exam
  • Submit Key Assessment - Language and Literacy Paper
  • Complete course evaluation

Final Exam

Exam Covers Speech to Print, Chapters 1-7

SLOs 1-6

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.