512-335 Advanced Cognition 3

Availability

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

512-224 (or equivalent)

Semester

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Subject Description

The aim of this subject is to introduce students to a range of topics within the interdisciplinary field of cognitive science. This subject comprises three units. Only two units will be offered in any one year.

Cognitive science (not offered in 2001) is an interdisciplinary field whose goal is to produce a more complete understanding of the nature of the mind. The aim of this unit is to provide an introduction to some basic issues in cognitive science. The unit will consider different explanations of mind and consider what aspects a theory of mind would need to consider. Current issues will be introduced, covering debates such as that between classical versus connectionist, and functionalist versus embodied accounts.

Adult language processing will cover a range of issues in the psychology of language. Topics will include lexical access, syntactic processing, sentence comprehension, discourse strategies, production of utterances. The focus will be on normal processing, but some reference to different types of language breakdown and individual differences in language ability will also be made.

Visual perception will critically examine the half-dozen or so major theoretical approaches to the problem of explaining vision. A particular emphasis will be given to the theoretical approach of David Marr and his co-workers.

Assessment

Laboratory reports of no more than 3000 words (50%) and an examination of no more than 2 hours (50%).

Attendance at 80% or more of the laboratory classes is a hurdle requirement. (In case of failure to meet the hurdle requirement, additional work will be required before a passing grade can be awarded).