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Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of minds and
intelligent behavior in human beings and animals. The challenge
of integrating a study of the mind with a scientific world view
has only recently attracted sustained effort. In this course,
we will examine the various scientific methodologies that have
been brought to bear to uncover the nature of the mind. We will
critically assess the data and theoretical results that define
contemporary cognitive science. Beyond the results of experiments
and the theories that are based on them, cognitive science proposes
that there is an underlying framework that unifies the diverse
methodologies we appeal to. We seek to understand this foundation.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Theory of Language on CD ROM
And a collection of primary sources
Producing a course packet of the material for this seminar would
create a volume costing well over $75, as publishers are entitled
to royalties for each article copied. On the other hand, copyright
law allows students to make a single copy of primary sources for
their personal use. We have therefore placed on reserve the readings
for this course, expecting that students will check the material
out from the library and copy all of it.
To RECEIVE AN EVALUATION, you must:
1. Attend – You are expected to attend every class meeting. Please contact
the instructors for missed material
due to an excused absence. Seminar discussions will combine elements
of the reading as well as new
material.
2. Participate – Thoughtful participation in discussion will be one indicator
that you are doing the reading and
will be an important element in your final evaluation.
3. Write weekly reaction papers or answer assigned questions – There will be an assignment for every week
of the seminar. Depending on the material, this assignment will
be either a paper or a series of exercises
(check schedule).
Reaction Papers: 3 pages (4 maximum). Typewritten, double spaced
in a 12 point font. No title page. Due in professor Weisler’s
mailbox (in the ASH office) or to Professor Cruz by electronic
mail by NOON on the TUESDAY before the class meeting. Students
may be asked to read their papers during the seminar in order
to frame the discussion.
You may choose any element of the reading to write on. For example,
you may briefly summarize the issues of the reading and critically
respond by using other material from the course. Or, you may pick
a direct quote from the readings and attempt to show that the
ideas contained in it are misguided or fail to take into consideration
important factors.
Questions: The digital learning environment in Theory of Language
has a space for answering questions posed in each chapter. When
you complete a chapter, print it out or save it to disk. Questions
(in either form) are due in professor Weisler’s mailbox (in the
ASH office) or to Professor Cruz by electronic mail by NOON on
the TUESDAY before the class meeting.
You may skip 1 weekly assignment over the course of the semester
in order to complete work for other courses or for personal reasons.
4. Write a final paper – 12-15 pages. Typewritten, double spaced in a 12 point font.
No title page.
Final projects may be extensions of a weekly paper or may advance
completely new ideas. The final paper will be an opportunity for
extended discussion of any element of the course.
Papers must reflect original thoughts and ideas about the themes
covered that week. Any direct quotations or paraphrased material
from outside sources must be credited and footnoted in your favorite
style. Violation of this constitutes plagiarism.
CLASS RESOURCES
ASH lab – The computing lab on the first floor of Adele Simmons
Hall is available for use by students in this
course.
Cognitive Science Lunch – The professors will meet informally
with students over lunch in the Dining
Commons on Tuesdays from 11:30 to classtime to discuss philosophical
issues. These may be topics
that arise in class, but need not be.
Schedule of Topics and Readings
THE SCIENCE OF THE MIND
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January
27
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Discussion: Reflections on Cognitive Science
Readings:
None
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February
3
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Discussion: History of the mind and levels of explanation
Readings:
i) Haugeland’s “The Saga of the Modern Mind,” Chapter 1 of Artificial Intelligence: The Very Idea
ii) Marr’s “Philosophy and the Approach,” Chapter 1 of Vision
Assignment: Write reaction paper to any single article
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10
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Discussion: Representations & Computations
Readings:
i) Dawson’s “Classical View of Information Processing,” Chapter
2 of Understanding Cognitive Science
ii) Rey’s “CRTT: Computation,” Chapter 8 of Contemporary Philosophy of Mind
iii) Block’s “Computer Model of the Mind”
Assignment: Write reaction paper to any single article
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17
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Discussion: Perception and thought
Readings:
i) Fodor’s “Précis of The Modularity of Mind”
ii) Sterelny’s “Representation, Computation, and Implementation”
Chapter 3 of The Representational Theory of Mind
iii) Sterelny’s “Marr on Vision; Fodor on the mind’s Organization:
The Theory in Action,” Chapter 4 of The Representational Theory of Mind
Assignment: Write reaction paper to any single article
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LANGUAGE: ONE COGNITIVE CAPACITY IN DETAIL
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March
3
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Discussion: Introduction and Sounds
Readings:
Weisler et al, “Introduction” and “Sounds,” chapters 1 and 2 of
Theory of Language
Assignment: Answer chapter questions and turn in print-out
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17
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Discussion: Words
Readings:
Weisler et al, “Words,” chapter 3 of Theory of Languag
Assignment: Answer chapter questions and turn in print-out
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24
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Discussion: Sentences
Readings:
Weisler et al, “Sentences,” chapter 4 of Theory of Language
Assignment: Answer chapter questions and turn in print-out
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31
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Discussion: Meanings
Readings:
Weisler et al, “Meanings,” chapter 5 of Theory of Language
Assignment: Answer chapter questions and turn in print-out
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COGNITION AND EMBODIMENT
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April
7
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Discussion: Brain
Readings:
i) Weisler et al, Chapter 6 of Theory of Language
ii) Von Eckhart’s “Methodological assumptions,” Chapter 9 of What is Cognitive Science?
iii) Sejnowski & Churchland’s “Brain and cognition”
Assignment: Write reaction paper to Von Eckhart or Sejnowski &
Churchland
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14
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Discussion: Connectionism
Readings:
i) Smolensky’s “On the proper treatment of connectionism”
ii) Smolensky’s “Computationalism”
iii) Fodor & Pylyshyn’s “Connectionism and cognitive architecture:
a critical analysis”
Assignment: Write reaction paper to any single article
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21
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Discussion: Dynamical approaches to cognition
Readings:
i) Beer’s “Computational and dynamical languages for autonomous agents,”
ii) van Gelder “The dynamical hypothesis in cognitive science”
with commentary
Assignment: Write reaction paper to any single article
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PHILOSOPHICAL ASSESSMENT
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April
28
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Discussion: Instrumentalist vs. Realist interpretations of Cognitive
Science
Readings:
i) Quine’s “Methodological Reflections on Current Linguistic Theory”
ii) Wasow’s “Thoughts on Mental Representation and Transformational
Grammar”
iii) Davidson’s “Mental Events”
Assignment: Write reaction paper to any single article
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May
5
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Discussion: Instrumentalist vs. Realist interpretations of Cognitive
Science
Readings:
i) Searle’s “Critique of Cognitive Reason,” excerpted from The Rediscovery of the Mind
ii) Dennett’s “Intentional Systems”
iii) Fodor and LePore’s “Is Intentional Ascription Intrinsically
Normative?”
Assignment: Write reaction paper to any single article
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