Nov 24, 2024

Course Catalog 2019-2020

Course Catalog 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Cognitive Sciences

Cognitive Science is a multidisciplinary field investigating cognition or thought. Cognitive scientists examine the structures and processes that underlie a creature’s ability to think and reason. They also explore closely related cognitive phenomena, including perception, recognition, memory, communication, and consciousness. They do so through an integration of perspectives and methodologies from a variety of disciplines including anthropology, biology, computer science, linguistics, mathematics, music theory, 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 an 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: Todd Ganson (tganson@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.

Core Courses

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.

Economics (ECON)

Music Theory (MUTH)

MUTH 314 - Music & Emotion

Neuroscience (NSCI)

Philosophy (PHIL)

Psychology (PSYC)

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.