This book explores the gradual evolution of Adult literacy policy from the 1970s using philosophical, sociological and economic frames of reference from a range of perspectives to highlight how priorities have changed. It also offers an alternative curriculum; a transformative model that presents a more socially just different value position.

This volume makes a timely contribution to our understanding of literacy as a multi-faceted, complexly situated activity. Each chapter provides the reader with a fresh perspective into a different site for literate behaviour, approaches, design and relationships, and offers an exploration into the use of literacy theories to inform policy and practice, particularly in regard to curriculum. Bringing together international experts in the field, the contributing authors represent a wide variety of theoretical and research perspectives which cover literacy in various forms, including: * transformative literacy * survey literacy * academic literacies * information literacy in the workplace * digital literacy. Landscapes of Specific Literacies in Contemporary Society suggests that literacy curriculum needs to evolve from its current perspective if it is to cater for the demands of the 21st century contemporary globalised society. The book will be of key interest to researchers and academics in the fields of education, curriculum studies and the sociology of education, as well as to policy makers and literacy specialists.

The notion of what constitutes literacy has shifted over time, from the de-coding of words where it is placed in the realm of an individual, cognitive skill to multiple literacies in the 21st century. This volume makes a timely contribution to our understanding of literacy as a multi-faceted, complexly situated activity. The contributing authors represent a wide variety of theoretical and research perspectives cover literacy in various forms including transformative literacy, academic literacies and digital literacy. Each chapter provides the reader with a fresh perspective into a different site for literate behaviour, approaches, design and relationships. Presented are illustrations of ways in which scholars are beginning to respond to the challenge and also underscore the viability of the concept of literacy for specific purposes.

Throughout the book contributors argue that literacy curriculum needs to evolve from its current one-dimensional/discrete perspective if it is to cater for the demands of the 21st century contemporary globalised society. This book will therefore interest researchers and academics in the field."