Learning to communicate complicated scientific ideas in a simple, engaging way is central not only to success in scientific arenas, but also to professional and civic life more broadly. This course gives hands-on experience in science communication, focusing specifically on communicating about language science, or the study of how language is learned, used, and represented in the mind. Because of this focus, students will have the opportunity to develop their science communication skills interacting with visitors at Planet Word museum in Washington DC, a museum about words and language. In addition to practical skills, especially oral presentation skills, the course provides grounding in the scholarship, principles, and frameworks of science communication. Regardless of students future career paths or majors, the knowledge and skills gained in this course are highly transferable across domains and fields.

Because the course has no prerequisites in science communication or communication, nor in language science or linguistics, students will build their knowledge base through readings, class participation, and the process of creating the science communication projects throughout the course.