Professional Development Opportunities

International Literacy Exchange: Scholar's Forum

The Department of Literacy Studies invites internationally renowned literacy scholars to present Scholar's Forums that are open to all interested persons. Our mission is to create spaces in which we can participate in conversations that expand our understandings of the many literacies that are a part of everyday life in families, communities and schools. We imagine these conversations will be hopeful and embrace the possibilities of our students' lives, while also offering us an occasion for critique of current literacy pedagogies. We believe that each presentation will help us in our quest to build classrooms for children that are just and caring where friends are made, and where every child has an opportunity to learn to read and write.

Professional Colloquia

Faculty and students participate in professional colloquia to share their research investigations and insights. Central to these presentations will be our sharing of descriptions of the multiplicity of local and vernacular literacies, which surround and engage us. Each session includes a discussion juxtaposing research and practice in ways that are culturally relevant to the local and vernacular literacies in which we learn and grow. These colloquia will be scheduled at regular intervals during each semester and are open to all interested persons.

Conferences

An open invitation is present in the Literacy studies program for students and faculty to participate either as presenters or attendees, in national and international conferences sponsored by Professional organizations, State Departments of Education, and International Literacy agencies.

Conversations with...

Important theorists and practitioners in Literacy study are periodically invited to the School of Education at Hofstra University to join with faculty and students in informal conversations sharing our public and individual worlds of research and practice.

Independent Studies

Students are invited to participate in independent study exploring particular areas of investigation with faculty and visiting scholars. Opportunities to engage in an independent study at sites other than Hofstra University can be discussed and planned as part of the individual doctoral program.