Director: Professor Kathleen M. Galotti
Cognitive Science Concentration (CGSC)
Cognitive Science 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 has been and is being undertaken in such disciplines as cognitive psychology, linguistics, philosophy, intelligence, neuroscience, social cognition and others. The concentration in Cognitive Science 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 or the methodologies 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.
Requirements for the Concentration
To encourage breadth within the concentration, normally no more than four courses taken from a single department may be counted toward the minimum eight required.
Core Courses: (24 credits-four six-credit courses)
CGSC 130 Introduction to Cognitive Science: How to Build a Mind
One other alternative entry point into the concentration is enrollment in the TRIAD--three linked sections of Psychology 110, Biology 125 and Philosophy 110. TRIAD students may count successful completion as the equivalent of Cognitive Science 130 plus ONE elective course.
300-level Special Topics in Cognitive Science (Note: this course would subsume some of the computer science, linguistics, philosophy or psychology seminars listed below.)
Plus any two of the following courses:
LING 115 Introduction to Theory of Syntax
CGSC/PSYC 232/233 Cognitive Processes and Laboratory
PHIL 210 Logic or CS 111 Introduction to Computer Science
Elective Courses: (24 credits) from the following list. At least one must be a 300-level course. Normally, no more than four courses from any one department may be counted toward the concentration.
CGSC 236 Thinking, Reasoning and Decision-Making (Not offered in 2009-2010)
CGSC 380 Seminar in Developmental Psychology: Cognitive Development During the Preschool years (Not offered in 2009-2010)
CGSC 385 Cognitive Development in Middle Childhood (Not offered in 2009-2010)
CGSC 386 Adolescent Cognitive Development: Developing an Identity and Life Plans(Not offered in 2009-2010)
BIOL 365 Topics in Neuroscience (not offered in 2009-2010)
BIOL 368 Developmental Neurobiology
BIOL 373 Behavioral Endocrinology (not offered in 2009-2010)
BIOL 379 Seminar: Behavioral Genetics
BIOL 386 Neurobiology
CGSC 130 How to Build a Mind: An Introduction to Cognitive Science (not offered in 2009-2010)
CS 254 Automata and Computability
CS 321 Artificial Intelligence
CS 322 Natural Language Processing (not offered in 2009-2010)
EDUC 234 Educational Psychology
LING 216 Morpho-Syntax
LING 217 Phonetics and Phonology
LING 265 Language and Brain
LING 270 Language, Speech, and Evolution
LING 275 First Language Acquisition (not offered in 2009-2010)
LING 315 Topics in Syntax (not offered in 2009-2010)
LING 317 Topics in Phonology (not offered in 2009-2010)
LING 325 Syntax of an Unfamiliar Language
LING 340 Topics in Semantics (not offered in 2009-2010)
MUSC 227 Introduction to the Perception and Cognition of Music
PHIL 110 Mind, Matter, Consciousness
PHIL 110 Evolution and Mind
PHIL 212 Epistemology
PHIL 220 Philosophy of Mind (not offered in 2009-2010)
PHIL 253 Philosophy of Cognitive Science (not offered in 2009-2010)
PSYC 216 Behavioral Neuroscience
PSYC 220 Sensation and Perception
PSYC 234 Psychology of Language
PSYC 250 Developmental Psychology (not offered in 2009-2010)
PSYC 258 Social Cognition (not offered in 2009-2010)
PSYC 375 Language and Deception
SOAN 260 Myth, Ritual, and Symbolism (not offered in 2009-2010)
SOAN 274 Language, Culture and Society
Cognitive Science Courses
CGSC 130. How to Build a Mind: An Introduction to Cognitive Science 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. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.
CGSC 232. Cognitive Processes Cross-listed with PSYC.232. An introduction to the study of mental activity. Topics include attention, pattern recognition and perception, memory, concept formation, categorization, and cognitive development. Some attention to gender and individual differences in cognition, as well as cultural settings for cognitive activities. Prerequisite: Psychology 110 or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: Cognitive Sciences 233. 6 cr., SS, Winter—K. Galotti
CGSC 233. Laboratory Research Methods in Cognitive Science Cross-listed with PSYC.233. Students will participate in the replication and planning of empirical studies, collecting and analyzing data relevant to major cognitive phenomena. Prerequisite: Psychology 110 or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: Psychology 232. 2 cr., ND, Winter—K. Galotti
CGSC 236. Thinking, Reasoning and Decision-Making 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 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.
CGSC 380. Seminar in Developmental Psychology: Cognitive Development During the Preschool Years 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 Educational Studies 234 or permission of the instructor. 6 cr., Not offered in 2009-2010.
CGSC 385. Cognitive Development in Middle Childhood We will consider the development of memory, perception, and attention, as well as concepts and categorization, problem-solving and thinking, during the years from six to 11. We will focus particularly on how these developments are reflected in children's academic learning and social relationships. Course requirements will include readings, class discussions, short papers, a final project, and regular observation of school-aged children. Prerequisite: Psychology 250 or Educational Studies 234 or permission of instructor. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.
CGSC 386. Adolescent Cognitive Development: Developing an Identity and Life Plans 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, Educational Studies 234 or consent of the instructor. 6 cr., SS, Fall—K. Galotti
CGSC 396. Directed Research in Cognitive Studies Senior majors in cognitive studies will work with the director to develop a thesis proposal for their comps project. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. 3 cr., ND, Fall—R. Elveton, K. Galotti