This course aims to provide an overview of the history and current state of second language acquisition (SLA) studies. Through discussion and review of theoretical studies on human minds and the nature of language, as well as those on pedagogical practices and language education, students will become research literate in empirical studies of SLA, and will be equipped with tools for understanding and evaluating SLA research in terms of scope, methodology, findings, and implications in various aspects. Moreover, the course reviews principles and processes involved in researching SLA, so that students will be able to design and conduct their own studies on topics and issues of relevance to SLA.