Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Literacy in the Content Areas (Online)

SCED 5720-492

Course: SCED 5720-492
Credits: 2
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TED
CRN: 33872

Course Description

Literacy and quantitative learning objectives in content specific classes in alignment with the Utah Core Standards. This course examines processes and strategies to assist candidates in improving content vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills of their students in order to facilitate students’ ability to work with discipline-specific materials. Literacy strategies will be emphasized and students will contextualize content for their individual academic disciplines and address density of language in each content area. Includes school practicum. (As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

No text required for this course. However, the course handbook available under the 'Home' tab contains important and helpful information and links.

Learning Outcomes

The Utah Effective Teaching Standards will be used to guide students as they develop learning experiences that effectively support literacy skills specific to their content areas. Students will use the following Utah Effective Teaching Standards:

Standard 3 Element 1: Instructional Strategies
Using appropriate academic language and evidence-based strategies to
stimulate higher-level thinking, discourse and problem solving and to
scaffold learning experiences to meet the needs of all students.

Standard 3 Element 3: Relevance
Providing relevant learning opportunities that value students’ interests
and backgrounds and allow learner agency and choice in accessing
learning and demonstrating competency.

Standard 2 Element 4: Engagement
Designing lessons and activities that actively engage students in their
learning and use a variety of effective tools and strategies.

Standard 1 Element 1: Personalizing Learning
Designing learning that builds on background knowledge while providing
opportunities for each student to access, practice and refine new learning.

Course Requirements


Mastery

Our goal is to 'master' certain skills throughout this class. Many assignments are 'key assignments' which means you will have multiple opportunities to revise and resubmit these items until mastery is met.

For the other items, which are not 'key assignments,' multiple submissions or revisions because of incomplete work are not accepted. Please read assignment instructions carefully before submitting.

SUMMER NOTE: If you are taking this course in the summer, sessions go by quickly. You may work ahead to accommodate your summer schedule, but once a module closes, no further work from that module may be completed. Please keep a close eye on due dates and to save time, please ask any clarifying questions before submitting any work as there may not be time for revisions before the module closes.


Course Outline

This course is divided into 4 modules. Each module includes an overview, a pre-quiz, assignments, and a summary quiz. Due dates are provided for each assignment and quiz. Assignment instructions, links, and reading materials are provided in the modules.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work


Due Dates Late Policy and Make-up Work

Late and make-up work will not be accepted once a module has closed.  However, depending on unavoidable circumstances, at the discretion of the instructor extensions may be granted if prior arrangements have been made. If you know that you will not make a deadline, you should reach out to your instructor as soon as possible before the deadline. 


Attendance Policy


Instructor's Response Time & Feedback

This is an online, asynchronous course. Online classes provide unique challenges for interaction. For messages sent to me, I will respond in the specified amount of time, usually within 48 hours. Feedback is an important part of learning, so please look for feedback on your assignments. To find feedback, see this tutorial How do I view assignment comments from my Instructor .

It is my goal to:

  • Respond to student messages within 2 business days
  • Provide grades and feedback within 1 - 5 days from submission.

Please do not email assignments or attach them to assignment comments. All assignments must be properly submitted in Canvas.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.