Master of Arts in English Plan II Graduate Projects

Abstract

Teaching English Language Arts: Implementing a Project-Based Learning Approach

Abstract

This portfolio includes four projects that are woven together to explore topics in teaching literature and composition using a project-based learning pedagogy. The first project, “Literature & Social Cognition: Why Read Fiction?” sets the groundwork for the importance of literature in academia through a brief analysis of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. The second project, “Grappling with Consumerism by Tapping into Freud’s Uncanny: Using Coraline for a PBL Approach” explores Coraline through the critical lenses of the uncanny and Marxism to guide students through a variety of texts including Coraline to explore consumerism through a project-based learning approach. The third project, “Leadership in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: A PBL Teaching Unit” is the beginning of a longer PBL unit that focuses on understanding Shakespearean language and writing style through close reading and dramatic performances. The fourth and final project, “Our Vision of Leadership – Multimodal Composition is the culminating unit for the previous project which explores how to create and polish a video using iMovie.

Keywords: project-based learning, PBL, English Language Arts, student-centered pedagogy, middle school English, multimodal composition

Specialization

English Teaching

First reader

Dr. Heather Jordan

Second reader

Ms. Kimberly Spallinger

Publication Date

Summer 8-5-2019

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