Module: Exploring Literacy across other Curriculum Areas (inc. Disciplinary Literacies)(L1 & L2)

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Exploring Literacy across other Curriculum Areas (inc. Disciplinary Literacies)(L1 & L2)
Module Code	EDU1036 (ITS: EC909)
Faculty	Language, Literacy & ECE	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module introduces students to key concepts and ways of thinking about the teaching and learning of literacy across the curriculum. The rationale and research basis for linking literacy with content area teaching will be analysed. A specific focus will be placed on the teaching of disciplinary literacy across a number of different disciplines such as science, history and mathematics. The module will also explore the teaching of language and literacy in additional languages, drawing in particular on pedagogical approaches relating to content and language integrated learning (CLIL). Critical perspectives on literacy development will be addressed.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop an advanced understanding of a range of theoretical perspectives underpinning the teaching of literacy across the curriculum
2. Examine the research base for integrating literacy with learning in other curriculum areas (e.g. mathematics, history, science)
3. Critically analyse theory, policy, research and practice relating to a number of perspectives on literacy integration including disciplinary literacy, critical literacy, content and language integrated learning
4. Explore the implications of the literature on literacy integration for teaching and learning in their own context

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	20	No Description
Total Workload: 20

Section Breakdown
CRN	20306	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Patrick Burke	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Research Paper	n/a	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Literacy Integration
Broad perspectives on integrating literacy with learning in the broader curriculum; curricular developments at primary and post-primary level in Ireland; research rationale for integrating literacy with content area learning; critical perspectives on literacy development throughout the curriculum.

Disciplinary literacy
Development of disciplinary literacy as a perspective on literacy integration (e.g. as a precursor of content area reading); key tenets of disciplinary literacy teaching, including epistemic cognition, sociocultural factors; instructional practice that supports disciplinary literacy development (e.g. multiple text comprehension; disciplinary language development); conceptual and theoretical perspectives on disciplinary literacy.

Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)
Policy and curricular context for CLIL; instructional practices that support CLIL; the research base for CLIL.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:

Hwang, H., Cabell, S.Q., & Joyner, R.E.: 2021, Effects of Integrated Literacy and Content-area Instruction on Vocabulary and Comprehension in the Elementary Years: A Meta-analysis, Scientific Studies of Reading, 26(3), 223, 518267
2023: Conceptualising Curriculum Integration: A Synthesis of Theory, Research and Practice, NCCA, 518268, 1
Teaching disciplinary literacy to adolescents: Rethinking content-area literacy: Harvard Educational Review, 78(1), 40, 518269, 1, Goldman, S. R., Britt, M. A., Brown, W., Cribb, G., George, M., Greenleaf, C., Lee, C. D., Shanahan, C., & Project READI
Educational Psychologist: 51(2), 219, 518270, 1, Berhman, E.H., 2006
49(6): 490, 518271, 1, Monte-Sano, C., 2010, Disciplinary literacy in history: An exploration of the historical nature of adolescents' writing
539: 518272, 1, Bower, K., Cross, R., & Coyle, D., 2020, CLIL in multilingual and English-background contexts., Curriculum integrated language teaching: CLIL in practice
518273: 1, Wilkinson, L.C., 2018, Teaching the language of mathematics: What the research tells us teachers need to know and do, Journal of Mathematical Behaviour, 51, 167,

Other Resources

None