Science of Reading

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The ability to read and understand written language has had a profound impact on human civilization, shaping how we think, learn, and communicate. In this course, we will discuss the cognitive science of reading and dyslexia. We will focus on the components that are specific to the task of reading itself, rather than on the more general cognitive, linguistic, or social capacities involved. Drawing from multiple perspectives, students will gain an understanding of how people learn to read, the processes involved in skilled reading, and the causes of reading difficulties. We also will consider what cognitive science research says (or doesn't say) about how reading should be taught. The topics covered will be relevant to anyone interested in gaining deeper insights into one of humanity's most important inventions.