ED 333 School of Education University at Albany, Albany, NY 12222 518-442-5100/5594 fax: 518-442-5094
Reading
Department Office Linda Papa, Secretary email OVERVIEW Listing of Dissertations since 1972
Advanced Standing (transfer courses) COURSEWORK EXAMINATIONS Comprehensive Examination RESEARCH
TOOLS DISSERTATION Submitting the final dissertation ASSISTANTSHIPS/FELLOWSHIPS OTHER
INFORMATION
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Comprehensive Examination The function of the Comprehensive Examination is to ensure that you have a broad yet focused understanding of the field of literacy. The exam is part of the larger process of the program that begins with establishing a broad understanding of the field providing the context for a deeper understanding of a specific domain within which you complete a very focused piece of research. At the same time, the exam does have a certifying or gate-keeping function in that a solid understanding of the broad field of literacy is a necessary expectation of an individual holding a doctoral degree from this institution. Consequently, the exam requires you to demonstrate to the members of the department, in writing, a thoughtful and critical understanding of the theory, research, and tensions in the broad field of literacy through each of the three domains described above: The nature and acquisition of literacy across the lifespan, Literacy and schooling, and Literacy and society. These domains clearly overlap and are not intended to split a thoroughly interconnected field into separate pieces. Literacy acquisition across the life span is influenced by the institutional structures within which it is acquired, and these structures and the acquisition are influenced by society. Although literacy acquisition and learning happen in societies, in families, and in and out of school and other institutional contexts, these are not the focus of domain 1. Issues of gender, or of reading disability, for example, might turn up in all three domains, but would be cast differently in each. Texts children read could be located in any or all of these domains, depending on how they are framed. The domains are merely to provide divergent points of emphasis and thus ensure a broad understanding of the field. Students can choose one of three options for satisfying the Comprehensive Examination: three essays, a portfolio, or a closed--book written exam. Details of each exam format are described here. When to take the exam is described here. How the exam is scored is here, and what options you have if you fail it can be found here.
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