B.A. Literacy Studies

The specialization offers Elementary and Early Childhood Education majors a dual major with a strong literacy and liberal studies focus. The major provides teacher candidates with a broad knowledge-base that spans Core Curriculum Standards and makes them eligible for the Teacher of Reading Endorsement in New Jersey.

This new specialization combines courses from the Reading and Writing Arts programs with English, Mathematics, Science, Geography and Social Studies courses. Teacher candidates will acquire a strong knowledge base in English, Writing Arts and Reading. Courses in English and Writing Arts provide candidates with critical understandings about reading and interpreting texts as well as composing well-crafted writing in multiple genres. Teacher candidates gain knowledge about the reading process and understanding of how this complex process is taught to children. The emphasis on literacy will cultivate excellent literacy teachers able to  (1) understand how literacy develops in children, (2) assess progress and relate instruction to previous experience (3) use variety of methods to teach literacy, (4) provide a range of materials and texts for children to read and (5) tailor instruction to individual students.

Program Guides:

Early Childhood Education- Literacy Studies Program Guide

Elementary Education – Literacy Studies Program Guide

Archived Program Guides

Objectives specific to the major are to:

• Explain how the major components of reading (phonemic awareness, word identification and phonics, vocabulary and background knowledge, fluency, comprehension and motivation) are integrated during fluent reading.
• Demonstrate knowledge of a wide range of instructional practices and approaches (including technology-based practices) to accommodate the different needs of students.
• Administer and analyze data from informal literacy assessments to identify students.
• Select instructional materials on the basis of children's reading levels, interests, and cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Describe ways to involve parents and other caregivers in children's literacy learning.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards for Language Arts and Literacy through classroom and field experience practice.
• Reflect critically on their practice in order to adapt instruction to the changing needs of students and situations.
• Demonstrate an awareness of literature, writing, and the English language.
• Demonstrate and understanding of the multiple facets of written communication.
• Develop an awareness of writing's theoretical foundations and practical applications.
• Demonstrate skills to communicate effectively within our dynamic culture.
• Demonstrate and apply the basic concepts of Literacy, Math, Science and Social Studies content.