Wkshp2-Rd2(SOQ) WK1.rtf

GLIT 6727
Foundations of Literacy Learning I
Julia Blushak

READING NUMBER 3
S. Garland, Therrien, L & Hammonds, K (1988)
Why the Underclass Can’t Get Out of Under (1988)

Surprise
-notion of rampant poverty in 60’s, 70’s – Vietnam war happened but it was still a time of promise for many ie: pop culture flourished, but ideologies were being uprooted – not aware that blue collar was threatened so much then, as my father enjoyed privilege of working in the USA

Observation
-class discussion is more valid in Canadian context today than 20 years ago
-the need for more trained skilled workers is in discussion and worries about Doctor, nurse shortages are real
-hi-tech is everywhere and those without a new kind of literacy need not apply – though training can happen at any level

Question
-how have the times and social supports improved in America over this 20 year period

Connection
-how educational systems are embedded within a social/economic fabric – they can be a strong thread or merely a support structure

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READING NUMBER 4
Colin Lankshear
Reading and Righting Wrongs: Literacy and the Underclass (1989)

Surprise
-exclusion is so much generated by socio-economic forces – “those excluded have no real way of getting in”

Observation
-unusual experience to read this angle from an American--the ‘anti-capitalist’ angle is so blatant and presumes a level of political/economic understanding in the reader around
the ‘big ideas’ at work in society.

Question
-is it possible to train a greater number of teachers with ‘critical literacy’ literacy to make a significant difference/change in society at the classroom level

Connection
-the USA has struggled for years with notions of inclusion and exclusion and will continue as the economy shifts again through global market structures