Topics in Cognitive Science
Psych/Ling/Phil/Educ 7775
CSCI 7772
Fall 2006
Time and Location: Friday, 12-2, ICS large conference room in Muenzinger
Course Credit: 1 credit hour
Office Hours: Thursday 3-4 and Friday 5-6, Hellems 295
Instructors:
Martha Palmer and
Tamara Sumner
Assessment:
Attendance: 30%
Written critical review of each session: 40%
Participation in session discussion: 10%
Contribution to the online class discussion 20%
Wiki: http://moodle.cs.colorado.edu/course/view.php?id=68 here
Course Objectives
The intent of this course is to expose students to the breadth and
depth of current research issues in the field of Cognitive Science.
They will attend presentations of innovative
theories and methodologies of Cognitive Science that they will be expected to critically evaluate. Students participate
in the ICS Distinguished Speakers series that hosts internationally
recognized Cognitive Scientists who share and discuss their current
research. Session discussions include analysis of leading edge and
controversial new approaches in Cognitive Science
Prerequisites
There are no pre-required courses. This is a one-unit course that is
required to be taken for two semesters as a core requirement in the
Cognitive Science graduate certificate program and the joint
Ph.D. program. Students who enroll in this class must be enrolled in
one of the ICS Cognitive Science academic programs.
Text
Each speaker will provide appropriate background reading (e.g, journal
articles, book chapters) and/or references to provide a grounding for
what they will be talking about in their colloquium. These materials
will be distributed to the students 1-2 weeks prior to the colloquium.
Exam
There is no formal exam for this course, but an end of semester
student only discussion session will figure into the grade.
Homework/Reports
Students are required to submit a 2 page, double spaced, critical
evaluation of each colloquium session. The content of this report
should identify the main theoretical viewpoint/hypothesis presented by
the speaker, discuss the degree to which that is presented in an
interdisciplinary format, and discuss the degree to which the evidence
presented provides support for the viewpoint provided.
Students will submit their critical reviews to an online class wiki,
to facilitate online group discussion of the sessions.
Content
There will be a minimum of 6, 2 hour colloquia per semester, and as
many as 10. The agenda for a given semester changes each year. The
scheduled ICS talks for this semester and for previous semesters can
be found on the ICS web page,
here.
Syllabus Statements:
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please
submit to me 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
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every
effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of
religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or
required attendance. In this semester I am not aware of any relgious holidays falling on class days, but if this occurs please bring it to my attention.
See full details here.
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate
learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards
may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to
treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom
discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they and their
students express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are
especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with
differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender
variance, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with
the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an
alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in
the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies
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
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resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or
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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
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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.