EDUC 5913 Science of Reading: Foundations 3 credits

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the Science of Reading, an interdisciplinary field grounded in decades of robust, empirical research on how individuals learn to read and write. Drawing from cognitive psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, and education, the course explores the foundational models, principles, and instructional practices that support effective reading development and literacy instruction. Students will examine the converging evidence that informs what works in literacy instruction, understand why some learners struggle, and learn how to apply evidence-based strategies to improve reading outcomes for all students. Participants will analyze essential frameworks such as the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Reading Rope, and gain practical knowledge about the five pillars of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The course emphasizes prevention and intervention approaches, assessment, and the translation of research findings into classroom practice. For Project Read (S.C. Teachers) students only.