FROM THE COURSE CATALOG

This course will emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to the study of intelligent systems, both natural and artificial. Cognitive science synthesizes research from cognitive psychology, computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, and contemporary philosophy. Special attention will be given to the philosophical foundations of cognitive science, information theory, symbolic and connectionist architectures, the neural basis of cognition, perception, learning and memory, language, action, reasoning, expert systems, and artificial intelligence.

 

REQUIRED TEXTS

The course readings are on electronic reserve (e-reserve) in the Williams College library system.

1) Go to the library homepage. 2) Select FINDING BOOKS, then FRANCIS, and at the bottom of the screen choose either RESERVE BY INSTRUCTOR or RESERVE BY COURSE. 3) Type in Cruz, Danyluk, or COGS 222. 4) Click ACCESS eReserves. 5) Click CONNECT TO ONLINE COURSE MATERIAL 6) Read the Copyright Law and click ACCEPT.

Click the link for the material you require or open a folder for all associated readings. Enter the password to access the file. Click CONTINUE. Print out the reading (we will assume that you have a copy with you in class.)

For questions about the eReserves contact Jodi Psoter (x4503)

GRADING

Grading on all assignments will be anonymous. Please turn in your lab assignments and exams with only your Williams ID number on it in some unobtrusive place.

Anonymous grading is one way of assuring that the collegiality of our interactions does not cloud our assessment of your work. Grading blindly is not a perfect mechanism for this purpose, and it is not intended to be. One crucial disadvantage to anonymous grading is that the instructors will not know when your work is systematically inadequate and will typically not approach you with concerns about your work. As a result, there is an additional burden of maturity and responsibility on your shoulders. You must elect to visit office hours and to seek out informal opportunities to improve your writing and research.

1. Lab exercises

Each Thursday you will be assigned take-home lab exercises to be turned in at the beginning of class the following Thursday.

Labs will include complete instructions, and will usually be self-contained assignments primarily (but not solely) involving quantitative answers. In cases where lab exercises require a computer, the software for the course has been tested only on the Mac operating system. Mac labs can be found throughout campus, but you may reliably work in TCL 216 or in one of the Bronfman labs (319 or 340).

Some lab exercises will be done individually and others will be done collaboratively. Labs will be graded on a 1 to 10 scale, and will be penalized 1 point the first day it is late, 2 points the second day, and four points the third day.

Lab exercises are worth 50% of your final grade.

2. Self-scheduled take home midterm exam

The midterm exam will be a 24 hour take home exam available starting 4/4 and due by 4:00 on 4/11. It may be picked up from the computer science administrative office (TCL 303) between the hours of 8:30am and 4:00pm. The midterm will include both quantitative and qualitative portions, where the latter will be several short essays. The midterm will be open book and open notes. You may not discuss the material of the midterm with other students.

The take home midterm is worth 25% of your final grade.

3. Self-scheduled take home final exam

The final exam will be a 24 hour take home exam picked up from the Registrar's Office. The final exam will include both quantitative and qualitative portions, where the latter will be several short essays. The final will be open book and open notes. You may not discuss the material of the final with other students. The final exam will range over the entire semester.

The final exam is worth 25% of your final grade.

CLASS RESOURCES

The instructors hold office meetings each week. They are:

Danyluk (TCL 308)	Cruz (Harper 9)
Mondays 1-3	Tuesdays 12:30-2:30
Tuesdays 11:15-12:15	Thursdays 12:30-2:30
Wednesday 10-12	Fridays 11-12

Additional times are available by special arrangement. Students are welcome to visit individually or in groups. You do not need to have a specific assignment or difficulty in mind to come to visit. Wide-ranging conversations about the class, about cognitive research, or about intellectual inquiry at Williams are very welcome.

Contact - Cruz is available by email and occassionally via AIM. You may assume that if he is logged on, he is available and eager for conversation (screen name: profjcruz). Danyluk prefers email, and will usually respond quickly at any time of the day.

Students with disabilities who may need disability-related classroom accommodations for this course are encouraged to set up an appointment to meet with one of us as soon as possible and to contact the Dean's Office (at extension 4262) to better insure that accommodations are provided in a timely manner.

http://www.williams.edu/philosophy/fourth_layer/faculty_pages/jcruz/courses/introcogsci06.html