Instructor: Dr. Tom Carter
DBH-287 667-3175
tom@csustan.csustan.edu
http://csustan.csustan.edu/~tom
Texts: The required texts for the class are:
The Owner's Manual for the Brain, by Pierce J. Howard
Why People Believe Weird Things , by M. Shermer
Other readings will be detailed during the term . . .
Purpose of Course and Objectives: The Cognitive Studies Program offers an interdisciplinary and integrative approach to the study of real and artificial brains/minds. Our program draws from such diverse fields as neuroscience, computer science, linguistics, psychology, philosophy, and physics. This introductory course will cover the issues, methods, and key developments in this emerging field. The overview we provide is designed not only to prepare those majoring in Cognitive Studies for upper division courses in the major, but to enhance the learning experiences of all students in other courses, as well. There is a great emphasis on critical thinking and being able to express your thoughts orally and in writing in a cogent manner. Be aware that other courses will offer much more depth within the individual disciplines on topics we will cover this semester. Be prepared to work (and think) hard and have some fun!
Course Requirements and Evaluations:
Readings: You will have assigned reading for each week and are expected
to complete it before you come to class. To help make sure you have read and
thought before coming to class, I want you to write a brief (one to two page)
response to each of the assigned readings (this need not be done for the first
week's readings or for readings under 10 pages). This might, for example, be
two strengths and two weaknesses (or troubling points). I will give more
information the first night.
Participation: Being prepared to discuss the readings is part of your grade.
This also means that if you miss a number of classes, your grade will be
affected. Thus, while attendance isn't specifically mandatory, I will
regularly check who is here. Please remember that this is an introductory
course and there may be ideas presented that are new to you or may not make
sense at first. Please do not be afraid to ask questions. Please be kind to
others as they work through the material.
On-line Discussion: Some of our class discussions will be on-line, so
you should be up to speed on Blackboard (Bb) early on in the semester. You can
do this by using computers on or off campus, with an internet browser. The
url is http://blackboard.csustan.edu or you can go to the university web site,
click on Academics and click on Blackboard courses. Students with login
difficulties can contact the OIT Call center at 667-3687 for assistance.
Exams: There will be a midterm exam. The date will be announced in
class. Depending on how things are going in the class, we may also have a
final exam. We will discuss this later in the term.
Project / Paper: You will each develop a project / paper, due at
the end of the semester. This may be for an in-class presentation. We
will discuss this in more detail later in the term.
Grades: The grades for the course will be determined by three components -- class participation / weekly written responses; exam(s); project / paper. Each of these elements will carry approximately equal weight.
Among the topics we are likely to explore are: