For this essay, you will compare and contrast two different domains of life (for example, home vs university or work vs home) in terms of two propositions for literacy as a social practice (from Baron and Hamilton (2005) and literacy sponsors. Listed below you will find some examples for domains (see point A), six propositions for literacy as a social practice (see point B), and some questions to consider about literacy sponsors (see point C). In your essay, you must discuss two different propositions from the list offered by Baron and Hamilton (2005), along with the literacy sponsors you might find in each domain.
For your essay, you will be drawing upon the readings from our course and any personal experiences that are relevant to your chosen topic. I have included information from two of our readings below for you to consider as you work.
As you write your paper, feel free to draw upon any of the readings we have done in the English course so far. You may use or revise any written or oral texts you have created in our course. If you quote or paraphrase any author, student, oral presentation, or other text that you have not created yourself, you must cite appropriately. I am available to answer any and all questions about this, so do not hesitate to reach out as you work!
You must include the following in your essay:
A: Domains. Choose TWO to compare: home vs university, online vs offline learning, work vs home, work vs university, and so on.
B. Propositions for literacy as a social practice. Choose TWO propositions from the six propositions offered by Baron and Hamilton (2005, p. 8), including the following:
- Literacy is best understood as a set of social practices.
- There are different literacies associated with different domains of life.
- Literacy practices are patterned by social institutions and power relationships, and some literacies are more dominant, visible, and influential than others.
- Literacy practices are purposeful and embedded in broader social goals and cultural practices.
- Literacy is historically situated.
- Literacy practices change and new ones are frequently acquired through processes of informal learning and sense making.
Barton, D., & Hamilton, M. (2005). Literacy practices. In Situated literacies (pp. 7-14). Routledge.
C. Literacy sponsors (Brandt, D. (1998). Sponsors of literacy. College Composition and Communication, 49(2), 165-185.
Consider the following questions and more about literacy sponsors as you write: Who are the literacy sponsors in the domains you are comparing in your paper? (e.g., parents, teachers, friends, neighbors, schools, governments, etc.) What power relationships exist within this domain? How do the sponsors facilitate or block access to literacy practices, texts, etc.?