This course examines influential theories and research that address the broad and continually evolving knowledge-base in literacy. Candidates analyze foundational and cutting edge studies in the field of literacy and consider how leading and often competing reading theories developed over time as well as how seminal research studies were conducted and considered by scholars, practitioners and policy makers. The course emphasizes the ways in which a personal belief system impacts a theoretical orientation to practice and/or research. In addition, the course will focus on research propelling current conversations in the literacy field. Topics explore how the definitions, purposes and practices of literacy often depend on characteristics having to do with language, class, gender, print verses electronic text, and contextual considerations such as in-school verses out-of-school settings or local verses federal policy.