Cognitive Science Practicum
Psych/Ling/Phil-7415/7425
Educ 6506/6516
CSCI 7412/7422

Fall 2007 & Fall 2008

Time and Location: Thursday 10 - 12, MUEN D 424, ICS small conference room
Course Credit: 2 credit hours
Assessment: Development and presentation of original, interdisciplinary research, and constructive feedback on other research efforts. One Journal paper presentation.
Office Hours: Thursday 2-3 and Friday 5-6, Hellems 295
Instructors: Fall: Martha Palmer and Spring: Tamara Sumner

Theme

Welcome to the Cognitive Science Research Practicum. This course is designed for advanced graduate students pursuing a joint Ph.D. in an approved core discipline and "Cognitive Science," an interdisciplinary field of study. This practicum affords the Cognitive Science Ph.D. candidates their first formal opportunity to design, develop, execute, analyze and establish interdisciplinary research in the field of Cognitive Science. Over the course of a year each student will independently create and execute an interdisciplinary research project in Cognitive Science that integrates at least two areas within the Cognitive Sciences, e.g., Psychology, Computer Science, Linguistics, Education, Philosophy, Speech/Language/Hearing Science. Students will need to get commitments from two mentors for their project who will guide their efforts. This course is a core requirement for the Ph.D. in Cognitive Science.

Cognitive Science research gains both its strength and its weaknesses from its inherent interdisciplinary nature. This practicum addresses the potential weaknesses of an individual researcher'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 design and execute a publishable project.

Suggested Schedule and Readings


I. Psych/ Ling/Phil-7415, Educ 6506, CSCI 7412
II. Psych/ Ling/Phil-7425, Educ 6516, CSCI 7422
Aug 30,
Sep 6,
Sep 14

Module 1 (I & II). Introduction and Overview
Sep 13, 20, 27
Oct 4, Oct 11, Oct 18

Module 2: Research Projects, Round 1

  • II. Motivations and Literature Reviews, Final Pass
  • I. Motivations and Literature Reviews, First Pass
Oct 25,
Nov 1, 8, 15, 29,
Dec 6

Module 3: Research Projects, Round 2

    • II. Final Experimental Designs and Current Results
    • I. Possible Experimental Designs
> Dec 13

Module 4: Grand Finale

Syllabus Statements:

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