BICULTURAL-BILINGUAL STUDIES (BBL) COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
5003 Foundations for Bicultural Studies
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
The study of concepts, theories, and approaches used in the examination of culture and society, with emphasis on the analysis of bicultural and transcultural praxis.
5013 Multicultural Groups in the United States
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A study of sociocultural diversity, culture maintenance and change, culture revitalization, and other aspects of ethnicity, race, class and gender in the United States, including the principles of critical race theory.
5023 Cultural Adaptation in Bilingual Societies
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
The study of the dynamic relations between culture, language, and the social environment. Explanations for the range of cultural, historical, social-cognitive, psychological, and political-economic adaptations in diverse systems.
5033 Bilingual Content Instruction
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Examines curriculum development, materials, and pedagogy applicable to the integrated teaching of mathematics and the social and natural sciences in bilingual classrooms. Emphasizes research-based methods that use the learner’s first language as a vehicle for content instruction. Offered in Spanish.
5043 Ethnography of Communication
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Examines the theoretical perspectives for the study of communication in varying cultural contexts. Topics may include intercultural and intracultural communication patterns, the effect of cultural differences on interactions, culture concepts, nonverbal behavior, and increasing intercultural effectiveness.
5053 Assessment in Bilingual and ESL Programs
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Critical review of research in the areas of testing linguistically diverse students and the sociocultural dimensions of standardized testing, academic achievement, and accountability. Study of process for assessing language proficiency and content-area knowledge in bilingual and English as a Second Language programs. Critical evaluations of standardized tests of language proficiency and literacy, and development of alternative and authentic language, literacy and content-area assessment techniques. (Formerly titled “Assessment in Bilingual and Second Language Studies.”)
5063 Biliteracy in Bilingual Classrooms
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Examines research and instructional practices supporting the acquisition of biliteracy through reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Preparation and adaptation of holistic, thematically based materials and activities. Critical evaluation of existing materials in Spanish. Offered in Spanish.
5083 Curricular and Instructional Considerations for Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Classrooms
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A critical analysis of the rationale for the preparation of teachers who are culturally and linguistically proficient/responsive to address the needs of diverse student populations. The study of various conceptual frameworks for curricular, instructional, and parental involvement for effective educational practices with diverse learners of different ages, levels, or backgrounds will be conducted. In addition, course analyzes the influences on learning of sociocultural, sociopsychological, and sociopolitical variables and their relevance for the identity and education of diverse learners focusing particularly on the pedagogical and assessment implications.
5093 Multicultural Art and Folklore in the United States
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A study of the visual arts and the folklore of representative culture groups creating a significant contribution to contemporary society. The course emphasizes Latino/a contributions to mural and street art, regional and religious art, as well as folk, popular, and other arts.
5113 Theoretical Foundations of Bicultural-Bilingual Education
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A critical analysis of the rationale for bicultural-bilingual education focusing on history, philosophy, and theory, in particular, sociocultural theories (e.g., Vygotskian theory). The study and analysis of bicultural-bilingual program designs, research perspectives on effective implementation, and adaptation to community needs.
5123 Sociolinguistics and Education
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Study of sociolinguistic theory and methodology, with special emphasis on their applicability to linguistically diverse educational contexts and communities. Topics include sociolinguistic approaches to bilingualism and second language learning, dialect diversity, and minority language maintenance and shift.
5133 Latino Biculturalism in the United States
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A study of Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and other Latino communities in the United States. Topics may include economic labor force participation, the dynamics of globalization and transnationalism, cultural revitalization and self-determination patterns, school achievement and performance, political participation, and integration.
5143 Communication and Critical Pedagogy in Bilingual Classrooms
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Emphasis on oral and written communicative strategies for achieving full interaction among students and parents in bilingual settings. Focus is on critical pedagogical approaches needed to conduct instruction in two languages. Offered in Spanish. (Formerly titled “Communication in Bilingual Classrooms.”)
5173 Sociocultural Issues and the Teaching of Reading
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Study of how social, cultural, and linguistic factors affect the reading and writing practices of students and how school reading curriculum, instruction, and assessment can be designed to support students from differing sociocultural backgrounds. Special attention is given to the role that social class, dialect, gender, second language learning, and ethnicity play in literacy learning and teaching.
5193 Multicultural Literature for Children
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A study of representative children’s literature for, and about, the many culture groups in the Americas, with emphasis on Latinos and Latinas.
6003 Research Design and Inquiry in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Completion of 9 semester hours of degree program or permission of instructor.
Familiarizes students with various research approaches and methodologies used in bicultural-bilingual studies including conceptualization, structure and types of research design, and pragmatic deliberation of data acquisition and analysis. Topics include information retrieval and library research, literature review, research criticism, and proposal writing.
6033 Topics in Bicultural Studies
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Examines topics of interest in bicultural studies and bilingual education. Possible topics include, but are not limited to, contemporary Chicano arts, Chicanas, Mexican American folklore, cultural factors in human resources development, and bilingual-multicultural school communities. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
6043 Bilingual Education Research
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Examines qualitative and quantitative methods and models applied to the field of bilingual education. Evaluation of community and school-based research that influences instructional policies and practices in bilingual programs.
6063 Research Methods in Bilingual and Second Language Studies
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Completion of 6 semester hours of degree program or permission of instructor.
Familiarizes students with selected methodologies for investigating issues related to bilingualism, biculturalism, and second language learning. Topics may include ethnographic, discourse analytic, case study, introspective, elicitation, and experimental and quasi-experimental research designs. It places emphasis on information retrieval and library research, literature review, critical reading, and research writing.
6073 Ethnographic Research Methods in Bicultural-Bilingual Settings
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BBL 6003 and completion of 15 semester credit hours of degree program or instructor approval.
Explores ethnographic approaches and their translation into bicultural-bilingual studies from a multidisciplinary perspective. Emphasis is on learning and practicing participant observation, interviewing, journal writing, document searching, strategies for qualitative analysis and interpretation, and writing styles of research reports.
6093 Chicana/Latina Feminist Methodologies
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
This course will examine the different frameworks for theory building by Chicana/Latina feminists. Challenging assumptions within social sciences, Chicana/Latina intellectuals have developed a critical theory that interrogates knowledge production. The course emphasizes methodology and how we produce knowledge, the means by which we examine communities, and how we conduct research as insiders/outsiders.
6103 Chicana/o Historical Thought
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
This seminar is a critical examination of the historical experiences of Chicanas and Chicanos. The course is
grounded in an analysis of the field of Chicana/o historical writing and within Chicana/o Studies from its inception to the present.
6223 Anthropology and Education in Multicultural Contexts
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BBL 5003.
The application of anthropological theory and methods to the study of education with emphasis on bicultural-bilingual school and community contexts. Topics include theories of culture, cultural transmission and acquisition, and cultural reproduction and production for understanding informal and formal education and its outcomes.
6233 Advanced Topics in Language Policy
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: ESL 5003 or an equivalent.
Study of language policies, discourses, and practices. Topics may include theory and implementation of bilingual policies in the United States, cases of official language decisions, instructional medium choices, literacy initiatives, gender-neutral language reforms, or other language-related decisions and policies.
6941-3 Internship in Bicultural/Multicultural Settings
1 to 3 hours credit.
A supervised experience, relevant to the student’s program of study, within selected community organizations. Must be taken on a credit/no-credit basis, and no more than 3 hours will apply to a Master’s degree.
6951-3 Independent Study
1 to 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission in writing (form available) of the instructor, the student’s program advisor and Graduate Advisor of Record.
Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. For students needing specialized work not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the Master’s degree.
6961 Comprehensive Examination
1 hour credit. Prerequisite: Approval of the appropriate Graduate Program Committee to take the Comprehensive Examination.
Independent study course for the purpose of taking the Comprehensive Examination. May be repeated as many times as approved by the Graduate Program Committee. Enrollment is required each term in which the Comprehensive Examination is taken if no other courses are being taken that term. The grade report for the course is “CR” (satisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination) or “NC” (unsatisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination).
6973 Special Problems
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
An organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. Special Problems courses may be repeated for credit when the topics vary, but no more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the Master’s degree.
6983 Master’s Thesis
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Permission of the Graduate Advisor of Record and thesis director.
Thesis research and preparation. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours will apply to the Master’s degree. Credit will be awarded upon completion of the thesis. Enrollment is required each term in which the thesis is in progress.
7003 Proseminar in Culture, Literacy and Language
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Required in the first year of doctoral work. This course is intended to provide first-year doctoral students with an opportunity to explore the main theories and areas of research in culture, literacy, and language, with emphasis on language minority communities. Readings include foundational and recent work in interdisciplinary study of culture, literacy, and language, with emphasis on implications for human development, social organization, and education. Emphasis on the development of scholarly writing. Students will become familiar with areas of research of doctoral program faculty.
7013 Research Design and Statistics for Culture, Literacy and Language
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: An introductory course in statistics.
Research design for quantitative studies in culture, literacy, and language. Topics include formulating testable hypotheses, collecting data on linguistic and cultural variables, selecting appropriate statistical models, and interpreting results. Special attention to the procedures commonly used in studies of language development and language variation, including parametric and nonparametric models.
7023 Qualitative Research Methods for Culture, Literacy and Language
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: An introductory course in statistics.
Research design for qualitative studies in culture, literacy, and language. Topics include formulating testable hypotheses, collecting data on linguistic and cultural variables, selecting appropriate statistical models, and interpreting results. Special attention to the procedures commonly used in studies of culture, literacy and language.
7033 Seminar in Discourse Analysis
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BBL 5123 or an equivalent, and BBL 7023.
Field research methods in linguistically diverse communities, with particular attention to discourse analytic approaches. Emphasis on collection, reduction, and analysis of language data. Special attention to procedures and discourse analytic techniques commonly used to examine language in use, in multilingual contexts. Consideration of ethical issues in research in minority communities. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Formerly titled “Research in the Speech Community.”)
7043 Research Design and Qualitative Analysis for Culture, Literacy and Language
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BBL 7023.
Enhances doctoral research proposals from formulation of the research questions, appropriate methods for collection, construction of a conceptual literature review, analysis of data, and determining findings. Provides theory and techniques for analyzing qualitative data sets. Diverse theoretical frameworks will be used to analyze the data sets required from students. May include use of qualitative computer software.
7083 Technology for Qualitative Research
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Exploration of the effective use of technology to facilitate data collection, organization, and analysis. Emphasis on application of theoretically-based methodologies for handling and analyzing qualitative data through the use of qualitative research software. Course also includes attention to other hardware or software relevant to the collection, organization and analysis of qualitative data, such as digital audio and video recording equipment and transcribing software and bibliographic software. Most effective for graduate students who have completed a qualitative methodology course and who have already begun the collection of qualitative research data.
7113 Seminar in Cultural Studies Research
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Interdisciplinary study of anthropological and humanistic conceptions of all forms of cultural production in relation to social and historical structures. Topics may include: a range of society’s arts, beliefs, institutions, and communicative practices in relation to social and historical structures. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
7123 Sociocultural Contexts of Literacy
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Theories and research in language and literacy that examine the complex interactions among social, cultural, psychological, and political factors in literacy learning in multicultural and multilingual contexts.
7133 Bilingualism and Second Language Acquisition
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Theories and research in bilingualism, multilingualism, and second language acquisition. Emphasis on the linguistic, cognitive, and motivational factors in the study of language acquisition.
7203 Seminar in Mexican American and Latina/o Biculturalism
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BBL 7113 or consent of instructor.
Study of Mexican American, Central American, Cuban, and Puerto Rican ethnic self-determination patterns in the context of mainstream cultural diversity in the United States. Suggested topics include: Latino cultural expression, Latino labor market participation, Latino political participation, Latino educational participation and achievement. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Formerly titled “Seminar in Latino Biculturalism.”)
7213 Ethnological Theory
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Study of the relations of theory and ethnography in sociocultural anthropology. Examines cultural theory, ethnography, comparison, history, and the current controversies that illustrate various theoretical perspectives. Particular emphasis on multicultural and multilingual contexts.
7223 Seminar in Biliteracy and Second Language Literacy
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BBL 7123 or consent of instructor.
Exploration of literacy development from social and cognitive perspectives. Topics may include simultaneous acquisition of first and second language literacy; emerging literacy in second language; adult literacy; reading and writing in a second language; the relationship of biliteracy and second language literacy to language maintenance and shift. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
7233 Seminar in Second Language Learning & Multilingualism
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BBL 7133 or consent of instructor.
Study of the research in second language acquisition and bilingualism. Topics may include age and second language acquisition; identity and second language acquisition; sociocultural theories of second language acquisition, universal grammar and second language acquisition, interlanguage variation, bilingual groups in the Americas, Asia, and Europe, cultural and linguistic interaction norms, and cognitive development in the bilingual child. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Formerly titled “Seminar in Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism.”)
7243 Seminar in Applied Linguistics
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BBL 7133 or consent of instructor.
Topics in linguistic theory and their relationships to language behavior in multilingual contexts. Topics may include phonological theory, syntactic models, discourse analysis, pragmatics, language socialization, language contact, language maintenance and shift, sociolinguistics and literacy, and language variation. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Formerly titled “Seminar in Language and Language Use.”)
7253 Seminar in Mexican American & Latina/o Issues in Education
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Critical analysis of the social, political, economic, and cultural factors that have historically impacted the K–16 education of Latinos in the United States. Examination of theoretical frames used to interpret their schooling experiences. Topics may include legal and policy issues, historical perspectives, bilingual/multicultural education, and teacher preparation for a linguistically diverse society. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Formerly titled “Seminar in Latino Issues in Education.”)
7303 Directed Doctoral Research
3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Supervised research on a topic in culture, literacy, and language. May be repeated for credit, but no more than 6 hours may be applied to the Doctoral degree.
7311-3 Doctoral Dissertation
1 to 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for the Doctoral degree.
May be repeated for credit, but no more than 12 hours may be applied to the Doctoral degree. Credit will be awarded upon completion of the dissertation.
