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Education | Faculty of Education Simon Fraser University Calendar | Spring 2025

Literacy Instruction

Certificate

Admission to this program has been suspended effective Spring 2018.

This program offers basic accreditation in adult and community literacy education to prepare students to teach literacy skills to adult learners. It is for those who seek a practical credential as part of their undergraduate degree, to enhance adult education and community development skills within the chosen program of study, and/or support entry into the field of adult literacy education. The program offers guided practice and supervision in a literacy education setting. There is an option to undertake the practicum in a French language literacy setting, subject to instructor availability.

General certificate regulations apply; see here for more information. Completion of the certificate is normally within five years of admission to the program.

The certificate program cannot be used in place of the Faculty of Education's professional development program or equivalent as a means to obtain a British Columbia teaching certificate.

Admission Requirements

Admission to this program has been suspended effective Spring 2018.

Admission to Simon Fraser University is required, together with formal program application to the Faculty of Education (undergraduate programs) . Students should meet with a Faculty of Education advisor to complete the application process.

Before applying for program admission, applicants normally will have achieved successful completion, with a minimum C+ grade, of the following.

  • EDUC 342-3 Contemporary Approaches to Literacy Instruction

Program Requirements

Units applied to this certificate may not be applied to any other Simon Fraser University certificate or diploma, but they may be applied toward major or minor program requirements or toward a bachelor’s degree under regulations governing those programs.

At least 10 of the 20 required units must be completed at Simon Fraser University.

Students are required to achieve a minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA), calculated on all Simon Fraser University courses applied to the program, with the exception that duplicate courses are counted only once.

Students complete a minimum total of 20 units, including one of

EDUC 311 - Foundations in Indigenous Education, Language, and Culture (3)

An introduction to Indigenous education in Canada and BC. There will be a critical examination of historical and contemporary issues in education and an exploration of culturally based Indigenous education grounded in Indigenous philosophies. Prerequisite: 60 units. Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Amy Parent
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
INDG 101 - Introduction to Indigenous Studies (3)

Introduces the nature and goals of Indigenous Studies as an academic discipline that emphasizes cultures and homelands of First Peoples. Students with credit for FNST 101 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Bryan Myles
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D900 Bryan Myles
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Surrey
F100 Sarah Henzi
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
OL01 Alix Shield
Online
OL02 Natahnee Winder
Online

and all of

EDUC 341 - Literacy, Education and Culture (3)

What counts as literacy and whose literacies are valued? What does this mean for the organization of societies, and for teaching and learning? How is literacy implicated in projects of social ordering, colonialism, oppression and empowerment? This course explores these questions through case studies, histories, policies and place-based investigations of literacy education across the life course and inside and outside formal schooling. Prerequisite: 60 units including three units in EDUC courses. Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
OL01 Sessional
Online
EDUC 342W - Contemporary Approaches to Literacy Instruction (3)

This course focuses on innovative approaches to literacy instruction in adult learning and out-of-school settings. Topics to be explored include voice and agency, engagement, assessment and meeting the needs of diverse learners through storytelling, writing, dance, drama, music, visual and digital arts. This course is appropriate for people with an interest in literacy education who may or may not have experience facilitating literacy learning. This is a required course for the certificate in literacy instruction. Prerequisite: 60 units including 3 in EDUC. Students may be required to successfully complete a criminal records check. Writing.

EDUC 343 - Literacy Practicum (5)

The literacy practicum is the vehicle through which students in the Certificate in Literacy Instruction implement and evaluate the model of adult literacy instruction developed in EDUC 342. Implementation may occur in a variety of contexts and institutions with adults; the literacy practicum will be supervised and may involve supervised teaching, curriculum developments, or research field work. Prerequisite: A grade of C+ or higher in EDUC 342 and permission of the instructor. Students must successfully complete a criminal records check.

and a minimum of six units, selected with approval from the Faculty of Education advisor, from the following list of multidisciplinary courses, or from approved 400 division EDUC special topics courses related to literacy in education.

CMNS 226 - Digital Media Communication Techniques (3)

This course introduces students to a variety of digital media communication technologies and techniques, including image and sound capturing and manipulation, Internet-based publishing and research, digitizing, editing and archiving. Design and management tasks involved in communicating using digital media are also introduced, including audio and video editing and processing, data integrity management, file structuring and packaging, and work presentation. Prerequisite: Nine CMNS units with a minimum grade of C-. CMNS 220 recommended.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Chris Jeschelnik
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 1:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 1:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
EDUC 240 - Social Issues in Education (3)

Social functions of the school; education and socialization; social, political, economic and cultural influences on the institutions and practices of education. May be applied towards the certificate in liberal arts.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Sessional
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D104 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D107 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D108 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
EDUC 252 - Introduction to Reflective Practice (4)

Provides opportunities for prospective educators to begin their development as reflective practitioners. Through readings, classroom activities and discussions, and interactions with students and practicing teachers, students will be exposed to various educational issues and questions. They will be given time to explore their own values and beliefs about education and teaching. Time may be spent observing in a selection of educational settings, and there may be opportunities to work with learners individually, and in small and large groups. Students enrolled in or with credit for EDUC 401, 402, 403 or holding a teaching certificate may not take this course for credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Ching-Chiu Lin
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
E100 Zuzana Vasko
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
Burnaby
EDUC 325 - Assessment for Classroom Teaching (3)

A survey of assessment methods that contribute to improving teaching and learning, and for making judgments and decisions about qualities of teaching, the classroom environment, and student achievement and growth. Topics include: goal and task analysis, validity and reliability, observing and assessing classroom processes and environments, self-report methods, assessing student achievement, published tests of achievement and aptitude, marking and reporting. Prerequisite: EDUC 220.

EDUC 351 - Teaching the Older Adult (3)

This is a basic course in adult education for students from all disciplines, of particular interest to those working (or preparing to work) with older adults. The goal is to assist students to develop more effective strategies for meeting the needs of an aging population through education. Prerequisite: 60 units.

EDUC 382 - Diversity in Education: Theories, Policies, Practices (4)

An examination of the impact of social diversity on schooling in Canada exploring contemporary issues and perspectives on diversity education as they relate to cultural, ethnic, racial, linguistic, religious, economic, and gender differences. Prerequisite: 60 units.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
E100 Inna Stepaniuk
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
Burnaby
or EDUC 441 - Multicultural and Anti-racist Education (4)

Focuses on developing approaches for multicultural and anti-racist teaching. Topics include: diversity of race, language and culture among learners; identifying the operation of racism, prejudice and discrimination in classrooms and schools; becoming familiar with a variety of approaches such as: co-operative learning, culturally appropriate assessment, and community involvement to counteract and prevent negative classroom and school dynamics; identifying bias in curriculum resources; and locating entry points in selected curriculum areas (e.g. language arts, social studies, art, music, etc.) for integrating approaches which employ a range of multicultural/anti-racist curriculum resources. Prerequisite: EDUC 100, or EDUC 230, or EDUC 240, or EDUC 250, or EDUC 401/402 or Corequisite: EDUC 403.

EDUC 422 - Learning Disabilities (4)

A study of conceptual and historic foundations of learning disabilities and an introduction to the methodologies of diagnosis and of learning disabilities. Prerequisite: PSYC 250 or corequisite of EDUC 315 or 473. Students may be required to successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
OL01 Maureen Hoskyn
Online
EDUC 467 - Curriculum and Instruction in Teaching English as an Additional Language (4)

Designed for prospective and beginning teachers to learn more about theory, research, and practice in teaching English as an additional language (EAL) in today's multilingual classrooms. Exploring an integrated approach working with learners to develop language skills through designing and delivering curriculum, instruction and assessment. Prerequisite: 60 units plus one of the following: six units of EDUC course work; or completion of EDUC 401/402; or admission to the Certificate in Teaching ESL program, or co-requisite EDUC 403.

EDUC 468 - Sociocultural Perspectives on Language, Cognitive Development and EAL Instruction (4)

Designed for prospective and beginning teachers to learn more about theory and research in language acquisition, sociocultural understandings of language development and thought, bilingualism and cognition, linguistic multicompetence. Exploring the implications of research and theory for the teaching and learning of EAL in classroom contexts. Prerequisite: 60 units including 6 units in Education courses.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
E100 Roumi Ilieva
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
Burnaby
ENGL 115W - Literature and Culture (3)

An Introduction to the study of literature within the wider cultural field, with a focus on contemporary issues across genres and media. Students with credit for ENGL 105W may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 David Coley
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D104 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D106 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D107 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D108 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D110 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D112 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D113 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D114 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D900 Torsten Kehler
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Surrey
D901 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
Surrey
D902 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
Surrey
D903 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Surrey
D904 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Surrey
D905 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Surrey
D906 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Surrey
D907 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Surrey
D908 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Surrey
ENGL 199W - Writing to Persuade (3)

An introduction to reading and writing from a rhetorical perspective. The course treats reading and writing as activities that take place in particular circumstances and situations, in contrast to the traditional emphasis on decontextualized, formal features of texts. It prepares students for reading and writing challenges they are likely to encounter within and beyond the classroom. Prerequisite: 12 units. Students with credit for ENGL 199 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Sean Zwagerman
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
OL01 Alys Avalos Rivera
Online
ENGL 371 - Writing: Theory and Practice (4)

Students will engage in theoretically informed practice of writing in various non-academic genres. Emphasis will be placed on the kinds of writing that students are likely to use after graduation. Prerequisite: 30 units or two 200-division English courses. Recommended: One of English 199, 199W, or 214. This course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught, though students who obtained credit for English 371 prior to Summer 2015 may not take this couse for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Alys Avalos Rivera
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
GERO 302 - Health Promotion and Aging (3)

This course includes an examination of the development of contemporary understanding and practice of health promotion. Students will be given the opportunity to explore theories and models designed to explain health related behaviors and the determinants of health. Strategies for behavioral change and development of socio-environmental approaches will be discussed in the context of an aging Canadian population. Prerequisite: 60 units. Recommended: GERO 300.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Mei Fang
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
HUM 320 - Cross-Cultural Philosophy in the Humanities (4)

Exploration of the characteristic ways in which humanities, with their emphasis on textuality and the history of ideas, presents important philosophical concepts and intellectual problems. Based upon an interdisciplinary selection of texts drawn from history, philosophy, literature and the arts. May be repeated for credit when a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 45 units. Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Alessandra Capperdoni
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
LING 160 - Language, Culture and Society (3)

Examines the relationship between language use and social structure. Considers how social factors such as gender, class, age, and ethnicity may be reflected in language use, as well as "big picture" topics that include multilingualism, dialect variation, language policy and linguistic stereotypes. Encourages students to think critically about the social dimensions of language. Open to all students. Breadth-Social Sciences.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
A320 TBD
A970 TBD
D900 Ivelina Koleva Tchizmarova
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Surrey
PHIL 105 - Critical Thinking (3)

An introduction to the tools of reasoning used in everyday life and in science. The overall aim of the course is to understand what makes good reasoning good, what makes bad reasoning bad, and how to do more of the former and less of the latter. Topics include: construction, analysis, and evaluation of arguments; logic and probability; updating beliefs and making decisions; designing experiments; interpreting statistics; identifying fallacies and biases. Open to all students. Students with credit for PHIL XX1 may not take this course for further credit. Q/Breadth-Social Sci/Sciences.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Lyle Crawford
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D104 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D105 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D106 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D107 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D108 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D109 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D110 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D111 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D112 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D113 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D114 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D115 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D116 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
PSYC 106 - Psychological Issues in Contemporary Society (3)

Relates contemporary knowledge from psychology to current social problems. Provides relevant information from studies pertaining to problems such as attitude development, prejudice, race relations, addiction, behaviour technology, and family pathology. Course can be repeated for credit. See psychology department website for course description. Students may not take this course for further credit if similar topics are covered. Breadth-Social Sciences.

SA 304 - Social Control (S) (4)

This course examines how the organization of control (formal and informal) affects both individuals and society. It will investigate how control takes form, how it functions, the ideologies supporting it, and the resistance it produces. We will ask the following questions: who are the agents of social control; who or what do they control; and how do they control? Prerequisite: SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

SD 281 - Introduction to Sustainability (3)

Introduces the challenges and opportunities for developing sustainable communities and a sustainable world, through the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and alternative perspectives around sustainability (e.g. Indigenous, just sustainabilities etc.). Students will also learn from the practical experience of diverse experts and sustainability professionals. Conventional approaches to sustainable development will be critiqued to ensure considerations for equity and social justice. Highlights will be showcased from the Global North and Global South. Students with credit for REM 281 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
GSWS 309 - Gender and International Development (4)

Examines from interdisciplinary and international perspectives how development is gendered and creates differential impacts, meanings and processes for women and men around the world. Prerequisite: 15 units. Students with credit for GSWS 310 (or WS 310) Special Topic: Women and Development or GSWS 301 (or WS 301) Special Topic: Gender and Development or GSWS 309 (or WS 309) under the title Gender and Development may not take this course for further credit.

Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit

  • At least half of the program's total units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
  • At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.

Transfer credit for courses completed at other institutions, before or after certificate program admission, may be approved as credit used toward program fulfillment provided that at least half of the certificate program's total unit requirements are completed at Simon Fraser University. Relevant course work must be approved by the undergraduate advisor.