An introduction to the use and structure of dialects of English used by the African American and Latino communities in the United States. The field work component involves the study of the language and culture of everyday life and the application of this knowledge to programs for raising the reading levels of elementary school children. The course will focus on linguistic and cultural differences and similarities of Latinos and African Americans. Particular attention will be given to hip-hop language and culture of both Latino and African American artists.
Students will participate in one of four research projects, which engage in one way or another the ongoing programs for tutoring children in reading: (1) to develop the Individualized Reading Program in West Philadelphia schools to further advance children's knowledge of the alphabet; (2) to contrast and compare the reading errors of Latino and African American children in order to adapt these reading methods to both ethnic groups; (3) to write and illustrate narrative texts for Latino and African American children that engage their interests and emotional concerns and so help raise reading levels; or (4) to apply current trends in hip-hop lyrics to develop educational methods that draw upon children's strong involvement in this area.