This course focuses on issues related to critical literacy, digital technology, and literacy instruction, including the impact of media and various technologies on teachers and students.
Terms Offered
Spring 2026
Course Details
Using a critical literacy lens, this course will define and explore expanded notions of literacy from U.S. and global perspectives. This course focuses on issues related to critical literacy, digital technology, and literacy instruction, including the impact of media and various technologies on teachers and students and other practitioners in the global landscape.
Number of credits: 3
This is a Global Classrooms Connections course.
Cultural Connection
World-wide.
General Education Credits
None.
School/College
College of Education
Prerequisites & Restrictions
None.
Faculty Highlight
Reka Barton
Reka C. Barton, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Literacy Education at the University of Maryland. Dr. Barton is an educator, curator and craftivist that researches multimodality, multilingualism and multiliteracies in and with communities of Black and Brown women and children in hopes of socially just and more equitable realities. Dr. Barton embeds these approaches in her teaching and service as well. She is a former elementary school teacher, with the majority of her classroom teaching career spent in dual language and urban classrooms. In addition to her classroom experience, she also has expertise in curriculum design, professional development for teachers, and literacy and biliteracy coaching. Dr. Barton teaches courses in children's literature and literacy methods. Her recent publications can be found in Children's Literature in Education, Journal of Language and Literacy Education, and Departures in Critical Qualitative Research.
Tuition & Scholarship
Course costs should be calculated based on the university’s standard tuition and fees for undergraduate students and graduate students.
Students enrolled in winter and summer Global Classrooms courses may be eligible for the International Education Scholarship.
Cancellation and Refunds
Spring and Fall Global Classrooms courses follow UMD's Schedule Adjustment policies.
Questions & Contact Info
For more course information, contact Dr. Reka C. Barton at rbarton@umd.edu.
For general questions, please contact the Global Classrooms team at globalclassrooms@umd.edu.