Spring 2012Course Description: Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of mind, whether mind is embodied in the biological stuff of neurons in a brain, or in the silicon stuff of computer chips in an artificial brain-like system. The creation of a successful scientific explanation of mind requires a concerted effort by investigators with many intellectual talents, from many different theoretical perspectives and empirical traditions, and across many different academic disciplines. This course provides an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of cognitive science, drawing on the perspectives and issues in the disciplines of psychology, philosophy, linguistics, neuroscience, and computer science.Week 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5Week 6Week 7Week 8Week 9Week 10Week 11Week 12Week 13Week 14Week 15Week 16Lin/Psy/Phl 463Introduction to Cognitive ScienceSpring 2012When: Tuesday & Thursday, 3:00pm – 4:20pmWhere: 114 Bessey HallEmail: [email protected] (direct questions to this email)Professor: Dr. Devin McAuleyOffice: Psychology 282B Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 4:30pm – 5:30Required TextbookBermudez, Jose Luis (2010). Cognitive Science: An Introduction to the Science of theMind. Cambridge University Press http://books.google.com/books/about/Cognitive_Science.html?id=VOxjPmAmX4gCCourse Description: Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of mind, whethermind is embodied in the biological stuff of neurons in a brain, or in the silicon stuff ofcomputer chips in an artificial brain-like system. The creation of a successful scientificexplanation of mind requires a concerted effort by investigators with many intellectualtalents, from many different theoretical perspectives and empirical traditions, and acrossmany different academic disciplines. This course provides an introduction to theinterdisciplinary field of cognitive science, drawing on the perspectives and issues in thedisciplines of psychology, philosophy, linguistics, neuroscience, and computer science.General Expectations: You are expected to attend each lecture, complete the assignedreadings prior to lectures, actively participate in class discussions, and complete allcourse requirements.Exams: There will be 2 exams covering the course material (one midterm exam and afinal). Each exam is worth 150 points. The material in this course is by naturecumulative, and so in that sense exams will be cumulative. Exams can not berescheduled, except in extremely rare circumstances with a documented serious illness orfamily emergency. Quizzes: There will be 7 short unannounced quizzes during the course of the semesterthat will cover the content of the assigned readings for the class lecture. Readings will befrom the textbook or supplemental articles. Quizzes will be worth 20 points each withthe grade for the lowest quiz will be dropped (the maximum total quiz score is 120 pts).Cognitive Science Distinguished Speaker Series and Talk Summaries: Students arerequired to read the assigned readings for, and attend the three talks associated with, theCognitive Science Distinguished Speaker Series (http://www.cogsci.msu.edu/DSS/2011-2012/). The talks are all scheduled on Monday evenings, 5:30 – 7:00, in Room 118,Psychology. In addition to attending the talk, you are required read the assigned readingsfor the talk and write a short 3-page essay on the talk content. A paper copy of your essayis due no later than the Tuesday class period that falls approximately one week followingthe talk.Dates Topic* Textbook__Week 1T, Jan 10 Course OverviewR, Jan 12 Cognitive Science: A Prehistory B, Ch 1Week 2T, Jan 17 Cross-Section of Early Theories B, Ch 2R, Jan 19 Cross-Section of Early Theories B, Ch 2Week 3T, Jan 24 Brain & Cognition B, Ch 3R, Jan 26 Brain & Cognition B, Ch 3Week 4T, Jan 30 Cognitive Science and the Integration Challenge B, Ch 4.1-4.3R, Feb 1 Preparatory Discussion for Melvyn Goodale TalkWeek 5T, Feb 7 Case Studies of Local Integration B, Ch 4.4-4.5R, Feb 9 Global Approaches to the Integration Challenge B, Ch 5Week 6T, Feb 14 Physical Symbol Systems Hypothesis B, Ch 6.1-6.2R, Feb 16 Applications of Physical Symbol Systems B, Ch 7.1-7.4 Week 7T, Feb 21 Challenges for Physical Symbol Systems I B, Ch 6.3R, Feb 23 Challenges for Physical Symbol Systems II B, Ch 6.3Week 8T, Feb 28 ReviewR, Mar 1 Midterm ExamWeek 9Mar 5 – 9 Spring BreakWeek 10T, Mar 13 Neural Networks/Connectionism I B, Ch 8.1-8.2 R, Mar 15 Neural Networks/Connectionism II B, Ch 8.3-8.4Week 11T, Mar 20 Connectionist Models of Cognition I B, Ch 9.1-9.2R, Mar 22 Connectionist Models of Cognition II B, Ch 9.3-9.5Week 12T, Mar 27 Cognitive Architectures B, Ch 10R, Mar 29 Preparatory Discussion for James Allen TalkWeek 13T, Apr 3 Brain Mapping I B, Ch 11R, Apr 5 Brain Mapping II B, Ch 11Week 14T, Apr 10 Mind Reading B, Ch 12R, Apr 12 Preparatory Discussion for Adrian Owen TalkWeek 15T, Apr 17 Dynamic Systems Approaches B, 13.1-13.2R, Apr 19 Dynamic Systems Approaches B, 13.1-13.2Week 16T, Apr 24 Embodied Cognition and Robotics B, 13.3-13.4R, Apr 26 Wrap Up and Looking Ahead B, 14* Tentative schedule that is subject to change to suit the needs of the course.Assessment and Important DatesAssessmentDSS Attendance 30 points (3 @ 10 points)Essays 150 points (3 @ 50 points each)Quizzes 120 points (6 @ 20 points; 7 quizzes with lowest score dropped)Midterm Exam 150 pointsFinal Exam 150 pointsExam scheduleMidterm Exam R, March 1Final Exam R, May 3, 3:00pm – 5:00pm Essay due datesEssay #1 (Goodale) T, Feb 14Essay #2 (Allen) T, Apr 10Essay #3 (Owen) T, Apr 24Grading ScaleNumerical Grade Percentage Points 4.0 ≥90 ≥540 3.5 85 – 90 510 – 540 3.0 80 – 85 480 – 510 2.5 75 – 80 450 – 480 2.0 70 – 75 420 – 450 1.5 65 – 70 390 – 420 1.0 60 – 65 360 – 390 0.0 0 – 60 0 – 360Some Course Rules1.) Academic Honesty: Article 2.3.3 of the Academic Freedom Report states that "Thestudent shares with the faculty the responsibility for maintaining the integrity ofscholarship, grades, and professional standards." In addition, the Department ofPsychology adheres to the policies on academic honesty as specified in General StudentRegulations 1.0, Protection of Scholarship and Grades; the all-University