Mar 28, 2024  
Course Catalog 2016-2017 
    
Course Catalog 2016-2017 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Cognitive Sciences


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Cognitive Science is the multidisciplinary study of the mind in order to understand issues such as consciousness, perception, memory, reasoning, and problem solving.  Cognitive Scientists examine the structures and processes that support mental representations, thought, and behavior through an integration of perspectives and methodologies from a variety of disciplines including anthropology, biology, computer science, linguistics, mathematics, music cognition, neuroscience, philosophy, and psychology.

Oberlin College’s Cognitive Sciences concentration provides students with a broad perspective on the study of cognition, ranging from the study of a single neuron, to brain systems and processes, to complex behavior.  Because Cognitive Science is a multidisciplinary field of study, students must take relevant courses from several fields of inquiry.

The Cognitive Science concentration is open to any student, irrespective of major.  However, concentrations may not substitute for a major.  Students wishing to complete the Cognitive Science concentration should consult with the current academic advisor or a member of the concentration committee and complete the Declaration of Cognitive Science Concentration form.  The form requires the signature of the Chair: Patricia deWinstanley (pdewinst@oberlin.edu).

 

Concentration Requirements


Requirements include two core courses:  one in psychology and one in neuroscience.  Students will also take four elective courses selecting from participating departments within the concentration.  To provide a broad perspective, the elective courses must be from different departments.  In addition to the identified courses, students may take a full course private reading or other course offering as one of the elective courses.  Students must obtain prior approval from the concentration Chair for any substitution. 

Elective Courses Approved for the Cognitive Sciences Concentration


These courses are approved for the concentration but may not be offered every year, see below for courses offered in 2016-17.

Anthropology 

ANTH 202  Fundamentals of Linguistics

ANTH 204  Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology

ANTH 321  Language and Body

Cognitive Science

COGS 101  Introduction to Cognitive Science

Computer Science

CSCI 299  Mind and Machine

CSCI 297  Minds, Brains, and God

CSCI 313  Human Computer Interface

CSCI 361  Game Design

CSCI 364  Artificial Intelligence

Economics

ECON 204  Game Theory for Social Sciences

Mathematics

MATH 342  Mathematics of Social Choice

Music Theory

MUTH 314  Emotion and Music

MUTH 317  Music & Embodied Cognition

Neuroscience

NSCI 319  Neurophysiology:  Neurons to Networks in Cognition

NSCI 357  Sensory Neuroscience

NSCI 360  Cognitive Neuroscience

Philosophy

PHIL 200  Deductive Logic

PHIL 201  Reason and Argument

PHIL 220  Philosophy of Language

PHIL 228  Philosophy of Mind

PHIL 347  Cognitive Science Rationality and Morality

PHIL 358  Seminar:  Philosophy of Perception

Psychology

PSYC 207  Memory and Learning

PSYC 209  Complex Cognition

PSYC 221  Social Visual Perception

PSYC 303  Advanced Methods in Cognitive Psychology

PSYC 305  Advanced Methods in Human Psychophysiology

PSYC 450  Seminar: Language & Thought

PSYC 431  Seminar: Cognitve Science and the Law

 

Elective Courses Offered in 2016-17


Take four courses listed below in four different departments.

Note: Students should be aware that some of the below listed elective courses have prerequisites and should plan their schedules accordingly.

Additional Information


Any student, regardless of major or minor, can pursue a Cognitive Sciences Concentration. The Cognitive Sciences Concentration does not substitute for a major or minor. Its completion will be noted on the student’s final transcript along with majors, minors, and Honors. Courses in which a student earned a letter grade below a C- or P cannot be used to fulfill the Cognitive Sciences Concentration. For further information or to see recent updates, see our web site at www.oberlin.edu/cogsci.

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