MLSC - MD Language Science Ctr

MLSC220 Science Communication and Language Science at the Museum (3 Credits)

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.

Additional Information: This course requires travel and off campus learning hours at the Planet Word Museum, located at 925 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005.

MLSC230 Rethinking Autism: A History of Neurodiversity and Paradigm Change (3 Credits)

Is autism a disease that needs to be cured, or a diversity that needs to be accepted? Should we push autistic individuals to be "normal" or embrace unique ways of being human? To best respond to these and other contested questions, this course provides the historical context of autism and other neurodivergent conditions in the United States from the 1700s until today. By exploring how autism was defined, by whom, when, and why, students will have an opportunity to question societal assumptions about competency, identity, and belonging, and to interrogate dynamics and conditions that frequently leave neurodivergent people marginalized. Through projects and reflection, students will also have a chance to explore what it means to be neurodivergent at this moment, during an era of rapid paradigm change.

MLSC250 Lol that's not funny: Language change and linguistic creativity in online communication (3 Credits)

Recent developments in technology, from texting to Zoom, have created new environments for human language use. Examining how communication is changing in these environments highlights humans' endless linguistic ingenuity -- ranging from new vocabulary and punctuation conventions to the use of hashtags, emoji and memes. At the same time, these linguistic innovations exemplify broader patterns of language change and diversity that have been documented and studied by language scientists. In this course, we will engage with the study of language variation and change through a survey of language use in different online environments, and will apply insights from linguistic research to analyze our own and others' language use in more nuanced ways.

MLSC308 PULSAR Language Science Research Seminar (1 Credit)

Research seminar for students in the PULSAR language science program. Weekly presentations and discussions on diverse topics in language science research, as well as on developing research skills.

Restriction: Must be in PULSAR program or have permission of the instructor.

Repeatable to: 4 credits.

Credit Only Granted for: BSOS338P or MLSC308.

Formerly: BSOS388P.