Cognitive Studies Concentration (CGST)
Coordinator: 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, 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, artificial intelligence, neuroscience, animal cognition, 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.
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: Students must take four courses (24 credits)
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 philosophical psychology seminars listed below.)
Plus any two of the following courses:
LING 115: Introduction to Theory of Syntax
CGST 232: Cognitive Processes
PHIL 210: Logic
Elective Courses: Select 4 courses (24 credits) from the following list. At least one must be a 300-level course or seminar
CGST/PSYC 236: Thinking, Reasoning and Decision-Making (Not offered in 2001-2002.)
CGST/PSYC 373: Categorizing Artifacts, People, and Natural Kinds (Not offered in 2001-2002.)
CGST/PSYC 380: Cognitive Development During the Preschool Years (Not offered in 2001-2002.)
CGST/PSYC 386: Adolescent Cognitive Development
CS 327: Artificial Intelligence (Not offered in 2001-2002.)
LING 215: Syntax of an Unfamiliar Language* (Not offered in 2001-2002.)
LING 217: Phonetics and Phonology
LING/PHIL 237: Language and Mind (Not offered in 2001-2002.)
LING 317: Topics in Phonology (Not offered in 2001-2002.)
LING 340: Topics in Semantics (Not offered in 2001-2002.)
PHIL 110: How to Build a Mind or Mind and Knowledge (Not offered in 2001-2002.)
PHIL 212: Epistemology
PHIL 243: Animals: Mind, Morals, and Nature (Not offered in 2001-2002.)
PHIL 253: Philosophy of Cognitive Studies (Not offered in 2001-2002.)
PHIL 281: Advanced Logic (Not offered in 2001-2002.)
PSYC 212: Comparative Cognition
PSYC 234: Psychology of Language
PSYC 250: Developmental Psychology
PSYC 258: Social Cognition
PSYC 332: The Psychology of Music (Not offered in 2001-2002.)
PSYC 366: Cognitive Neuroscience (Not offered in 2001-2002.)
PSYC 371: Primate Cognition
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, K. Galotti
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, Fall—K. Galotti
PSYC 373. Categorizing Artifacts, People, and Natural Kinds Cross-listed with CGST 373. What processes underlie our categorizing of people and things? How are our categories represented? How are they acquired and how do they change? How do they affect our reasoning and perception? We will discuss the implications recent work in psychology, linguistics, artificial intelligence, and philosophy have for these questions, and the more general problem of the categorization of experience. Prerequisites: Psychology 110 and 232, or Psychology 230, or consent of the instructor. 6 credits cr., SS, Not offered in 2001-2002.
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 2-6. 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, Not offered in 2001-2002.
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, Winter—K. Galotti