First-Year Writing Seminar (101-8-20)

Topic

Language and Childhood

Instructors

Erin M. Leddon
847/467-7092
2016 Sheridan Rd, Rm. 305
Office Hours: By appt

Meeting Info

Annenberg Hall G28: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

How do children achieve the remarkable feat of acquiring language - an accomplishment we often take for granted? Which aspects of the human capacity for language are best understood as biological, as species-wide and species-specific? How do families, schools, and communities help shape children's development as speakers and listeners, and eventually as readers and writers? How does learning a first language (or more than one language) interact with learning to think, learning to imagine, and developing a sense of identity? To explore these questions, we will consider studies of children's language development along with perspectives from social policy, medicine, education, business and marketing, the arts and publishing. Students will have regular opportunities to reflect on their own experience, and each student will be able to select a topic of individual interest for a final seminar project. All assigned reading will be available to students on Canvas.

Registration Requirements

First-Year Seminar: WCAS First-Year Seminar; P/N Options: No P/N option for this section.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students should be able to: summarize and evaluate arguments made by others, formulate persuasive arguments of their own (orally and in writing, based on a careful analysis of evidence), cite sources appropriately, and demonstrate progress in writing effectively at the college level.

Teaching Method

Discussion: Regular opportunities to write and to share ideas based on course readings and developed through writing.

Evaluation Method

Reaction papers, essays, participation in class discussion, short presentation.

Class Materials (Required)

Course materials are free, distributed through Canvas.

Class Attributes

WCAS Writing Seminar