Applied Linguistics

Description:
This course is designed to introduce students to the history and current research in the study of symbols, signs and images (visual language) that function in the various media of popular culture as a formative means of communication. The course will explore the production and exchange of meanings and circulating signifying systems by introducing the student to important schools of thought in this area. We will analyze the language/symbolic orders used in news media, comedy, television advertising, cartoons, music video, situation comedies, soap operas, magazine photos, music lyrics, etc. In exploring how formative systems of representation set the rules, norms and conventions by which social life is ordered and governed, this course will offer curricular insights for the language/multicultural classroom by presenting a more cultural studies approach to formal pedagogy.

Academic Information:
Prerequisite: None.
Distribution I Area: None.
Distribution II Area: None.
Diversity Area: None.

Description:
This course is designed for student teachers, K-12 and adult community-based educators and other interested students who wish to explore the development of content-based ESL curriculum. In particular, the course content will focus on current perspectives on immigration and ways of integrating immigration topics in lesson planning across the curriculum with special emphasis on sheltered English and content-based instruction for English language learners. Students will be challenged to develop lessons which integrate the theme of contemporary perspectives on immigration into their particular content area and instructional context in reference to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and related benchmarks.

Academic Information:
Prerequisite: None.
Distribution I Area: None.
Distribution II Area: None.
Diversity Area: None.

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