Cognitive Studies

Coordinate Major

The coordinate major in cognitive studies combines a regular major with a core curriculum in three tracks: formal disciplines, philosophical foundations, and psychology. The program is designed to provide basic knowledge of current research on mind, cognition, and language.

The major consists of ten courses of which six are required and four elective. At least one elective must be in each of the three component tracks. With the director’s consent, work in a different but relevant discipline may be substituted for, at most, one elective course. It is suggested that students interested in philosophy take an introductory course, preferably Philosophy 2030, Minds, Machines, and Experience.

REQUIRED COURSES (two in each track)

Formal Disciplines Track

  • PHIL 1210 Elementary Symbolic Logic
  • ANTH 3200 The Nature of Language
  • ANTH 3590 Introduction to Syntax
  • CMPS 1100: Intro to Programming OR CMPS 1500 Intro to Computer Science

Philosophical Foundations Track

  • PHIL 3740 Consciousness
  • PHIL 3750 Philosophy of Cognitive Science
  • PHIL 3765 Imagination
  • PHIL 3800 Language and Thought
  • PHIL 3710 Altered Experience

Psychology Track

  • PSYC 1000, 1010, 1020 Introduction to Psychology, and one of the following:
    • PSYC 3300 Brain and Behavior
    • PSYC 3430  Intro To Social Psych 
    • PSYC 3770  Sensation & Perception  

ELECTIVES (four total, minimum of one in each track, at least one at the 6000 level)

Formal Disciplines Track

  • NSCI/LING 4110 Brain and Language
  • PHIL 6010 Metaphysics of Mind OR PHIL 6120 Metaphysics
  • ANTH 3420  Semantics
  • PHIL 3720 Philosophy of Science

Philosophical Foundations Track

  • PHIL 3870 Mind in Evolution
  • PHIL 6105 Philosophy of Neuroscience
  • PHIL 6170 Philosophy of Perception
  • PHIL 6180 Mental Representations
  • PHIL 6130 Moral Psychology and Metaethics

Psychology Track

  • PSYC 3210 Child Psychology
  • PSYC 3680  Comp Animal Behavior 
  • PSYC 3700  Evolution & Psychology  
  • PSYC 4330  Neurobiol Learn & Memory
  • PSYC 4510  Biological Psychology
     

Program Committee:

  • Daniel Burnston, Philosophy
  • Radu Bogdan, Philosophy
  • Jeffrey J. Lockman, Psychology
  • Harry Howard, Linguistics, Spanish

Contact for Advising: