. The Ohio State University
. www.osu.edu
Help Campus Map Find People Webmail Search Ohio State
LiteracyStudies@OSU.
about us
initiatives
news items
academics
resources
archive

academics Picture.

academics

graduate interdisciplinary specialization (GIS)

How scholars study literacy depends, in no small part, on the disciplinary framework within which they define literacy. The GIS in Literacy Studies curriculum brings together historical, contextual, comparative, and critical perspectives and modes of understanding aimed at understanding the different uses of literacy and what they mean to the participants and to the broader society. The program is designed to prepare students to pursue research that produces insights informed by multiple disciplines.

An interdisciplinary specialization in literacy studies will extend the educational and research experiences of any graduate student who wants to explore the role and relevance of reading and writing, no matter how broadly defined.

By encountering different methods of inquiry and the epistemologies that inform them, students will be better prepared to engage the questions they pose in their research and make career choices.

The Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization in Literacy Studies is designed to help prepare students to produce new knowledge and participate in the greater conversation about literacy and literacy studies.

The principal goals of the Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization in Literacy Studies include:

Requirements

The GIS in Literacy Studies requires 21 – 25 hours of coursework in 5 courses. At least 14 hours must come from outside the student's home graduate program.

I. Core Courses 13 - 15 hours
The specialization includes 3 core courses. The first two core courses cover the foundations of literacy studies, the central questions, theories, approaches, methods, and history. The third core course provides an interdisciplinary perspective on particular forms of literacy and literacies and prepares students for their concentration.
  1. First Core Course 5 hours
    English 750: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Literacy (WI 08)

  2. Second Core Course 5 hours
    English 884: Literacy Studies: Past and Present (SP 08); cross-listed as History 775

  3. Third Core Course 3 - 5 hours
    Select one course from the following list.
    • Arts & Sciences 720: Science Literacy (SP 08)
    • Education T&L 803: Language and Society (WI 08)
    • Education T&L 804: Trends and Issues in Language, Literacy, and Culture (SP 08)
    • Education T&L 901: Changing Perspectives in Language, Literacy, and Culture (AU 07)
    • Education T&L 906: Language Learning across Cultures (AU 07)
    • English 789: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Digital Media (WI 08)
    • English 883: Studies in Literacy (SP 08)
    • Near Eastern Languages and Culture 648: Studies in Orality and Literacy; cross-listed as Comparative Studies 648 (SP 08)
    • Coming AU 08: Health Literacy
Note: Course offerings are subject to change. Consult the Master Schedule for the most up-to-date information

II. Elective Courses 8 - 10 hours minimum
There are six clusters of interdisciplinary electives. The areas in which students might concentrate their elective courses include Ohio State's strengths in literacy studies range widely. Students should work with their faculty advisors and the GIS Advising Coordinators to determine how best to incorporate Literacy Studies into their program of study.

The GIS in Literacy Studies is open to all graduate and professional students at Ohio State. Students do not need to apply for enrollment.

For more information about the GIS in Literacy Studies, contact the advising coordinators:

Harvey Graff.
Harvey J. Graff
Ohio Eminent Scholar in Literacy Studies and Professor of English and History
The Ohio State University
546 Denney Hall
164 West 17th Avenue
Columbus OH 43210
(614) 292-5838
graff.40@osu.edu

Marcia Farr.
Marcia Farr
Professor of Education and English
The Ohio State University
216A Ramseyer Hall
29 W. Woodruff Av
Columbus OH 43210
(614) 292 0095
farr.18@osu.edu