This course will provide up-to-date insights into the neurobiological basis of language, including the neuronal and genetic infrastructure of the language-ready brain.. The course will be given by internationally leading researchers in the field. Students will learn how state-of-the-art methods and approaches are currently being applied, and what are the next big questions for the field.

Neurobiology of language. In this part of the course students will get a thorough overview of the neural processes involved in the understanding as well as production of language. Topics covered are: Connectivity of the language network, insights from lesion studies, the neural infrastructure for speech processing, the neurobiology of syntax, the neural basis of semantics, the neurobiology of pragmatics and the interface between language and other cognitive systems.

Genetics of language. The topics in this part of the course will include:An introduction to genetics. The gene FOXP2 - a window into the molecular neurobiological basis of language. The concept of heritability. The genetics of dyslexia and complex forms of language impairment. Genetics of human brain asymmetry.