Introduction to Cognitive Science
Psych/Ling 3005/ Phil 3310/ CSCI 3702

Fall 2011

Professors:
Albert Kim
E-mail: Albert.Kim@colorado.edu
Office Phone: 303-492-8616 (2-8616 from on-campus phones)
Office Hours: Albert Kim: Tues: 1 - 2:30 or by appt., MUEN D356B


Martha Palmer E-mail: Martha.Palmer@colorado.edu
Office Phone: 303-492-1300 (2-1300 from on-campus phones)
Office Hours: Martha Palmer: Tues 1-2, Thur 2:30-3:30 or by appt, Hellems 295


Time and Location: Tue/Thur 11 - 12:15, RAMY N1B23
Course Credit: 3 credit hours


Class Wiki

Theme: Welcome to Introduction to Cognitive Science.

Cognitive Science is inherently interdisciplinary. This course strengthens a student's ability to integrate methods and concepts outside his or her core discipline by enabling the student to interact with other Cognitive Science students from other core disciplines. Students will discuss, share knowledge, and gain expertise in the diverse content, issues, and practices that make up Cognitive Science, as they are introduced to core topics in Cognitive Science and work together on team projects.


Overview of Schedule

Aug 23 Introduction and Overview - Kim and Palmer
Aug 25, 30, Sep 1, 6, 8, 13, 15 Symbolic Representations, Grammars and Parsing - Palmer
M & C game
Sep 20, 22 Human Sentence Processing - Kim
Sep 27, 29, Oct 4, 6, 11 Semantics, Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing - Palmer
Oct 7th Approved poster proposals for Nov 8 Session DUE!!
Oct 13 In Class Exam - Kim and Palmer
Oct 18, 20, 25, 27, Nov 1, 3 Brain and Language - Kim
Nov 8 Does Language Equal Thought? - Palmer
Nov 10 Computer Vision - Guest Lecture
Nov 15, 17 The Visual System - Kim
Nov 21 - Nov 25 Fall Break
Nov 29, Dec 1 The Visual System - Kim
Dec 6 Language Processing + Miscellaneous Poster Session
Dec 8 Cognitive Neuroscience + Miscellaneous Poster Session
Dec 12 FINAL EXAM 4:30pm


Readings: We have a textbook, and will also depend heavily on supplementary readings which will be available from the class 7:00 p.m. The final exam will act as a second mid-term exam NOTE: this exam was previously scheduled for Dec 6 but was moved to Dec 12. The exam will focus on the material covered since the first exam However, there will inevitably be some overlap with material from the first part of the semester. Wiki. They are divided into required and optional.

Textbook
Conversations With Neil's Brain: The Neural Nature Of Thought And Language [Paperback],
by William H. Calvin and George A. Ojemann
ISBN-10: 0201483378
ISBN-13: 978-0201483376


Class Wiki

Assessment: Several components will be taken into consideration in determining your grade.

Exams (40%):
There will be two in-class exams at approximately 7 week intervals, for 20% each.
Class Participation (15%):
Each student is expected to attend regularly and participate actively in class discussion.
Quizzes and Homeworks (20%):
Each week there will be either a 10 minute weekly reading quizz on Thursday or a Homework assignment.
Research Topic Poster - Presentation and Critiques (25%):
Each student, or pair of students, will define (in consultation with a professor) a topic to be the subject of a Poster. The poster should take either a positive or a negative stance with respect to an issue covered in a classroom reading and suggest possible follow-on studies/experiments/readings/computational models that could further validate the position taken. The poster should be focused and visually engaging. It must be based on at least two reviewed publications in addition to classroom readings. The posters will be presented in one of two separate class poster sessions. The posters will be grouped by topic, and at least two other poster presenters in the same topic group will be asked to critique each student's poster. The student's grade will be based on both the student's own poster, his or her critques of at least two other posters, and the critiques his or her poster receives.

Syllabus Statements:

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to us a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and Disability Services

If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see these guidelines.

Disability Services' letters for students with disabilities indicate legally mandated reasonable accommodations. The syllabus statements and answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.

Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, we are not aware of any religious holidays falling on class days, so if you know of any please inform us. See full details here.

Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. We will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise us of this preference early in the semester so that we may make appropriate changes to our records. See policies at here and here.

The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships applies to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimiation and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained here.

All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-735-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found here, and here.