This experiential course combines community engagement with introductory study of theories, practices, and policies informing language and literacy education in the U.S.: both what is and what could be. Each semester, topics evolve to correlate with community-engaged experiences, and to respond to local and national trends. Activities evoke critical thinking about topics such as the primacy of “standard written English” in schools; approaches to sustaining heritage languages; censorship; technological and AI advances in language processing; and ties between literacy instruction and social change. Students put ideas into practice through observing, designing, and/or facilitating lessons through their community placements.GE: Oral and Written Communication