FYSM 1607 A, B and C – Cognitive Science: Thinking and Knowing
Offered by the Institute of Cognitive Science. Does not count as a major requirement.
In this First Year Seminar (FYSM), we will examine topics that are important to philosophy of mind, cognitive psychology, linguistics, computer science, and evolutionary theory. In doing so, we will look at the links that unite these areas in their goal of trying to understand both human and non-human minds (e.g., animals and artificial intelligence). You will learn about the various disciplines that comprise cognitive science both by examining some foundational issues in these topics and by looking at a number of topics that cognitive scientists are in the unique position of exploring in an interdisciplinary way. One of the main goals of this FYSM is to provide you the opportunity to take what you have learned from seemingly disparate disciplines and find a way to integrate this knowledge into a greater understanding of how the mind works.
There are a number of goals that this course is designed to meet. They are accomplished by structuring a course with two threads: content and skills. These two threads come together in a culminating project. This course will provide you with the opportunity to:
- work on writing skills (drafts, feedback);
- better understand the conceptual underpinnings and methods of cognitive science;
- draw connections among the disciplines that make up cognitive science; and learn how to present research (culminating project).
Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.G.In.S. or B.CoMS program.
Seminar three hours a week.