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Cognitive Studies Concentration (CGST)

Director: Professor Kathleen M. Galotti

Cognitive studies examines different approaches to questions concerning the nature of mind, the representation of knowledge, the acquisition, comprehension, and production of language, the development of learning and intelligence, the use of information to draw inferences and make decisions, and the assessment of "goodness of fit" between purportedly similar systems (e.g., the computer and the mind). Exploration of some or all of these questions and is undertaken in such disciplines as cognitive psychology, linguistics, philosophy, artificial intelligence, neuroscience, social cognition and others. The concentration in cognitive studies therefore represents a formal means of bringing together students and faculty in different disciplines who share common interests. We seek to enrich the view provided by any one discipline through an exploration of the contributions of others.

The concentration is designed for students majoring in psychology, philosophy, computer science or linguistics (as a special major), although all students are welcome. In recent years, special majors in Cognitive Studies have been approved by the Academic Standing Committee.

Requirements for the Concentration:

To encourage breadth within the concentration, no more than four courses taken from a single department (or four Cognitive Studies courses cross-listed in a single department) may be counted toward the minimum eight required.

Core Courses: (24 credits-4 six-credit courses)

      CGST/PSYC 230: Introduction to Cognitive Science

      CGST/PHIL/PSYC 300 level Special Topics in Cognitive Studies

(Note: This course would subsume some of the computer science, philosophy or psychology seminars listed below.)

Plus any two of the following courses:

      LING 115: Introduction to Theory of Syntax

      CGST 232/233: Cognitive Processes and Laboratory (not offered in 2003­2004)

      PHIL 210: Logic

Elective Courses: (24 credits) from the following list. At least one must be a 300-level course. No more than four courses from any one department (or cross-listed with any one department) may be counted toward the concentration.

      BIOL 386: Neurobiology

      CGST/PSYC 234: Psychology of Language

      CGST/PSYC 236: Thinking, Reasoning and Decision-Making

      CGST 360: Artificial Intelligence (not offered in 2003­2004)

      CGST/PSYC 375: Language and Deception

      CGST/PSYC 380: Cognitive Development During the Preschool Years

      CGST/PSYC 386: Adolescent Cognition

      CS 327: Artificial Intelligence (not offered in 2003­2004)

      LING 215: Syntax of an Unfamiliar Language* (not offered in 2003­2004)

      LING 217: Phonetics and Phonology (not offered in 2003­2004)

      LING 317: Topics in Phonology

      PHIL 110: How to Build a Mind or Mind and Knowledge

      PHIL 110: Cartesian Meditations

      PHIL 212: Epistemology

      PHIL 243: Animals: Mind and Morals (not offered in 2003­2004)

      PHIL 253: Philosophy of Cognitive Studies (not offered in 2003­2004)

      PHIL 281: Advanced Logic (not offered in 2003­2004)

      PSYC 215: Memory and Amnesia (not offered in 2003­2004)

      PSYC 216: Behavioral Neuroscience

      PSYC 250: Developmental Psychology

      PSYC 258: Social Cognition (not offered in 2003­2004)

      SOAN 260: Myth, Ritual, and Symbolism

Cognitive Studies Courses

PSYC 230. Introduction to Cognitive Science Cross-listed with CGST 230. . Recently, psychologists, linguists, philosophers, biologists, and computer scientists have begun to share the insights their differing perspectives bring to certain issues involving perception, imagery, knowledge representation, thinking and consciousness. This class will give students a broad introduction to the history and practice of this multidisciplinary approach. Prerequisite: Any introductory psychology, linguistics, philosophy, or computer science course or consent of the instructor. 6 credits cr., SS, Winter—R. Elveton, M. Van Der Wege

PSYC 236. Thinking, Reasoning, and Decision-Making Cross-listed with CGST 236. . An examination of the way people think and reason, both when given formal laboratory tasks and when facing problems and decisions of everyday life. Students consider their own reasoning and decision-making through course exercises. Topics covered include: Models of formal reasoning, decision-making, heuristics and biases in thinking and problem-solving, the development of reasoning ability, moral reasoning, improving thinking, problem-solving and reasoning skills. Prerequisite: Psychology 110 or consent of the instructor. 6 credits cr., SS, Spring—K. Galotti

PSYC 375. Language & Deception Cross-listed with CGST 375. In this course we will examine deception and persuasion in language use. We will take up three main issues. The first is what it means to deceive and how people deceive others through language. What methods do they use, and how do these methods work? The second issue is why people deceive. What purposes do their deceptions serve in court, in advertising, in bureaucracies, in business transactions, and in everyday face-to-face conversation? The third issue is the ethics of deception. Is it legitimate to deceive others, and if so, when and why? Prerequisites: Psychology 110 and one other course in the cognitive area. 6 credits cr., SS, Winter—M. Van Der Wege

PSYC 380. Seminar in Developmental Psychology: Cognitive Development During the Preschool Years Cross-listed with CGST 380. . We will consider the development of memory, perception, and attention, as well as concepts and categorization, problem-solving and thinking, during the years from two to six. We will focus particularly on how these developments are reflected in children's spontaneous behavior and play. Course requirements will include readings, class discussions, short papers, a final project, and regular observation of preschoolers or kindergarteners. Prerequisites: Psychology 250 or permission of the instructor. 6 credits cr., SS, Spring—K. Galotti

PSYC 386. Adolescent Cognitive Development: Developing an Identity and Life Plans Cross-listed with CGST 386. An examination of recent literature on how adolescents develop their value system, explore their goals, begin to make life-framing decision, establish new relationships, and discover answers to the question "Who am I?" Course readings will involve primary literature, and the course is discussion-based. Prerequisite: Psychology 250 or consent of the instructor. 6 credits cr., SS, Not offered in 2003-2004.