Cognitive
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at the University of Virginia
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Previously Approved Courses
Fall 2002
Cognitive Psychology | Philosophy
|Linguistics
| Neuroscience
Previously Approved Courses by Semester
| Spring 2007|
Fall 2006 | Spring 2006 | Fall 2005 | Spring 2005 | Fall 2004 |
| Spring 2004 | Fall 2003 | Spring 2003 | Fall 2002
Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 215: Introduction to Cognition
Cognition is the activity of knowing: the acquisition, organization, and use of knowledge. Emphasizing fundamental issues, this course introduces such basic content areas in cognitive psychology as perception, memory, language, cognitive development, and philosophy of science.
PSYC 305-1: Research Methods & Data Analysis
Introduction to research methods in psychology, integrating statistical analysis. Emphasis on descriptive statistics and non-experimental research methods. Use of computers for data analysis. This course is required for psychology majors and is the first part of a two-part series (305-306).
Instructor: James Freeman
PSYC 305-2: Research Methods & Data Analysis
Introduction to research methods in psychology, integrating statistical analysis. Emphasis on descriptive statistics and non-experimental research methods. Use of computers for data analysis. This course is required for psychology majors and is the first part of a two-part series (305-306).
Instructor: Nancy Weinfield
PSYC 306: Research Methods & Data Analysis * Restricted to Instructor Permission
Second part of a two-part series. Emphasis on inferential statistics (t-tests and ANOVA) and issues in experimentation.
Instructor: Karen Schmidt
PSYC 405: Psychology of Instructional Technology
In this seminar we will be discussing the cognitive underpinnings of technology assisted education/training and the features of the hyman learning system that can be exploited to facilitate learning. Topics include: comprehension based, situation cognition, self explanation, congitive modeling.
Instructor: Jeff Hollier
PSYC 416: Thinking about Thinking
In this seminar we will be discussing various aspects of what we commonly refer to as "thinking". In particular, our discussions will center on three general cognitive processes: Learning, Memory, and Reasoning. Through these discussions, we will attempt to reach a deeper understanding of the processes, and explore some implications and ramifications of these processes as they are expressed in the human thinker.
Instructor: Jeff Hollier
PSYC 581: Emotion* Restricted to PSYC, COGSCI, and Graduate A&S
The cognition-emotion seminar covers the connection between thinking and feeling in two ways. The first part asks about the causes of emotion, and the second asks about the consequences of emotion. Part 1 concerns the nature and definition of emotion and the role of cognitive appraisals in their elicitation and intensity. Distinctions will be made among concepts such as affect, emotion, mood, and temperament. Part 2 concerns the consequences of emotion for cognition, experience, and behavior. Of interest will be such topics as the effects on judgment and decision making, processing and performance, and memory and attention, and the role of culture.
Instructor: Gerald Clore
Philosophy
PHIL 242: Introduction to Symbolic Logic
Introduced the concepts and techniques of modern formal logic, including both sentential and quantifier logic, as well as proof, interpretation, translation, and validity.
Instructor: Paul Humphreys
PHIL 265: Free Will and Responsibility
The class examines whether our actions and choices are free and whether or to what extent we can be held responsible for them. Includes the threat to freedom posed by the possibility of scientific explanations of our behavior and by psychoanalysis, the concept of compulsion, moral and legal responsibility, and the nature of human action.
Instructor: George Thomas
Studies problems concerned with the foundations of knowledge, perception, and rational belief.
Examines various results in metalogic, including completeness, compactness, and undecidability. Effective computability, theories of truth, and identity may also be covered.
Instructor: James Cargile
Linguistics
LNGS 325: Introduction to Linguistic Theory and Analysis
Introduces sign systems, language as a sign system, and approaches to linguistic description. Emphasizes the application of descriptive techniques to data.
Instructor: Mark Elson
ANTH 348: Language and Prehistory
This course covers the basic principles of diachronic linguistics and discussed the uses of linguistic data in the reconstruction of prehistory.
Instructor: Eve Danzinger
ANTH 504: Linguistic Field Methods
In this course we will work with a native speaker of an "exotic" language (i.e., a language that is not commonly taught in the U.S., hence likely not to be familiar to any of the students in the class). We try to figure out the phonological and grammatical structure of the language based on data collected from the native speaker consultant in class. Attendance is therefore mandatory. Assignments include one paper on phonology, one on morphology, and one on syntax (the nature of the assignment may vary depending on the particular language being studied).
Instructor: Ellen Contini-Morava
AMEL 365/765: Introduction to Linguistic Topology
Human languages, especially those spoken by members of unfamiliar and distant cultures, appear on the surface to be very different from one another. But closer examination reveals that languages differ in systematic ways and that more than half of them can be divided into a relatively small number of basic types. In this course we will identify and study some of these basic patterns and explore possible reasons for their existence, seeking explanations where possible in the communicative function of language as well as in the historical evolution of languages. The course will introduce students to basic grammatical structure and function by (1) having them investigate unfamiliar languages through study of published descriptive grammars and (2) relating this direct experience to the principle findings of contemporary typological research. Intended for upper level undergraduates and graduate students.
Instructor: Peter Hook
SAST 255: The Languages of South Asia
An examination of the phonological, morphological, and syntactic structures of South Asian languages from typological, social, and historical perspectives. This course presupposes no knowledge of a South Asian language or of linguistics and is intended for lower-level undergraduates
Computer Science
All CS courses except CS110, CS120, CS182 & CS 200
Neuroscience
PSYC 220: Intro to Psychobiology
After an overview of brain organization and function, the course examines what we know about the physiological bases of several behaviors including sensation and perception, learning, memory, sleep development, hunger, thirst, and emotions. (In some terms, there will be an optional 1-credit discussion section.) Credit is not given for both PSYC 220 and PSYC 222.
Instructor: Peter Brunjes
** OR- BIOL: 317 CAN COUNT FOR THIS REQUIREMENT. BOTH WILL NOT COUNT TOWARD THE MAJOR **
PSYC 321 Psychobiology Lab
This course is designed to give the student experience with the techniques used to study brain behavior relations and provide a better understanding of the biological basis of behavior. Techniques will include neuroanatomy, electrophysiology, pharmacology and behavioral analysis.
Instructor: Lisa Goehler
PSYC 420: Neural Mechanisms of Behavior * Prerequisite: PSYC 220 or 222, or instructor permission; prerequisite or co requisite: PSYC 321 recommended
Lectures on molecular and cellular aspects of neural mechanisms in relation to behavior, including neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurotransmitters, receptors, neuropharmacology, development, plasticity and neurodegenerative diseases.
Instructor: Alev Erisir
PSYC 526: Psychobiology and Memory *Restricted to Graduate A&S, COGSCI
The seminar will examine experimental findings which describe the contribution of hormonal and neurotransmitter systems in regulating memory formation. An extensive review of the literature in scientific journals will be covered to understand how chemical transmitters modify our capacity to learn and remember new information and to identify the brain sites where these compounds exert effects to influence memory storage processes. Students who enjoy learning from non-traditional sources such as journal articles, archives, annual reviews etc. and are enthusiastic about discussing this information in a public forum are well suited for this type of seminar.
Instructor: Cedric Williams
Psych 529: Advanced Psychobiology Lab*Restricted to Graduate A&S, COGSCI
Each student helps design and carry out an original research project related to neural bases of behavior. Six laboratory hours.
Instructor: Lisa Goehler
PSYC 582: Neuropsychopharmacology*Restricted to Graduate A&S, COGSCI
Seminar course will examine anatomy, neurochemistry and physiology of the neurotransmitter systems, providing exposure to current questions and approaches in neuroscience. In each class, a lecture will summarize the current topic: in the second half, influential or otherwise interesting experimental papers will be presented and reviewed by the students to learn how the basic questions related to cellular function and behavior have been approached. Topics will include neuronal form and function, neurotransmitter systems, presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms, and the role of neurotransmitter systems in learning, vigilance, addiction, Parkinson's disease or affective disorders.
Instructor: Alev Erisir
PSYC 583: Sensory Systems*Restricted to Graduate A&S, COGSCI
Instructor: David Hill