Cognitive Science Program
at the University of Virginia

Previously Approved Courses

Fall 2003

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

 

Back to Current Courses

Cognitive Psychology

PSYC 210: Introduction to Learning and Behavior

The course will examine historical and current theories that explain how different types of learning provide the foundation for most, if not all forms of an organism's behavior. We will cover these theories by carefully examining the most important research experiments that contributed to our current understanding of the principles and concepts that shape our behavior. The lecture content will focus heavily on experimental findings derived from research of learning processes in human and non-human species. The concept of Learning will be explored from the perspective of theories of Classical Conditioning,Operant Conditioning
and more recent theories of the organization of behavior derived from human studies.

Instructor:Cedric Williams

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.

Instructor: Daniel Willingham

PSYC  230: Introduction to Perception

Perception is the means by which we become aware of the world and of ourselves.This course presents an introduction to the senses and the means by which meaningful experience is derived from their functioning. Empahsis is given to visual perception.

Instuctor: Dennis Proffitt

PSYC 305-1: Research Methods & Data Analysis* Prerequisite: Psyc 101 or any 200-level Psyc course

An introduction to the procedures used by psychologists in gathering and communicating knowledge in their field. We will study various kinds of research methods, learn the statistics used to analyze psychological data, and learn how to communicate results in a professional writing style. In this course, the emphasis is on descriptive statistics and non-experimental research methods. This is the first part of a two-part series (305-306).

Instructor: James Freeman

PSYC 305-2: Research Methods & Data Analysis* Prerequisite: Psyc 101 or any 200-level Psyc course

An introduction to the procedures used by psychologists in gathering and communicating knowledge in their field. We will study various kinds of research methods, learn the statistics used to analyze psychological data, and learn how to communicate results in a professional writing style. In this course, the emphasis is on descriptive statistics and non-experimental research methods. This is the first part of a two-part series (305-306).

Instructor: Nancy Weinfield

PSYC 306: Research Methods & Data Analysis* Prerequisite: Psyc 305 ( with C- or better)

Second part of a two-part series required for psychology majors. Emphasis on inferential statistics (t-tests and ANOVA) and issues in experimentation. **Course May Meet Second Writing Requirement**

Instructor: Karen Schmidt

PSYC 355: Psychology of Visual Art

We will explore the psychological foundations of the means artists use in creating of works of visual art, including sculpture, comics and film. We will also explore the consumption of works of visual art. Some topics: To what extent do paintings capture reality? What is color? How do artists represent space? What do we mean when we say that a work of visual art conveys emotion? How do films work? Why is it hard to draw? Is there progress in art? What do we mean by aesthetic pleasure?

Instructor:Michael Kubovy

PSYC 401: Coordination and Action* Prerequisite: Psyc 215, psyc 305, psyc 306

How do we control complex bodily movements? How do we coordinate our thought processes? These questions have traditionally been addressed in separate disciplines. However, motor and mental coordination have been investigated together in recent decades through the emphasis of common computational or brain mechanisms. In this course, we will develop an appreciation for the diverse conceptual and methodological approaches to coordination in our action system. Specific topics will include the timing and sequencing of actions, bimanual coordination, and the coordination between cognitive and perceptual-motor actions.

Instructor: Jackie Shin

PSYC 581: Emotion and Cognition

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

ANTH 549/PSYC 584: Ethnopsychologies *Must contact Professor Eve Danzinger in the Anthropology Department if interested. (ed8c) This course will also satisfy a Linguistics cogsci requirement.( It may count towards one or the other requirements, not for both)*9-10-03, There has been a change regarding this annoncement- This will not count towards the linguistic requirement and we are checking on whether it counts towards the 400+ level course for cognitive psychology. At the very least, we will count it towards the 30 cogsci credits. I will post an answer as soon as it is available. Sorry for any inconvenience.

This class is for advanced undergraduate students and is approved for cogsci majors.
The ways in which people think about minds and behaviors is a topic of great interest in the social sciences. Using literature form anthrouplogy, philosophy, psychology, and linguistics, we will explore explicit and implicit ideas about minds and the origins of behaviors that are held in different cultures of the world. Our aim will be to arrive at a better understanding of whether the European-American social science model of psychology, or elements of it, are universal. If not, how can ideas from other cultures enrich our own psychological model? Cross-listed with PSYC 584 Ethnopsychologies. The class will meet Oct. 23 to Dec. 12, Thursdays 3:30-6 and Mondays 7-9:30.

PSYC 585: Language Development

Instructor:Vikram Jaswal

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Philosophy

PHIL 242:Introduction to Symbolic Logic

Introduces 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 332: Epistemology

Studies problems concerned with the foundations of knowledge, perception, and rational belief.

Instructor: James Cargile

 PHIL 542: Advanced Logic

 Instructor: James Cargile

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Linguistics

ANTH 343 - Introduction to Generative Linguistics No prerequisites.

An introductory course in linguistics for students interested in the study of language as a branch of cognitive science. We will adopt a view language that has been highly influential in the field since the "generative revolution" led by Noam Chomsky in the mid-twentieth century, which uses a formal theory to explain how it is that "all normal children acquire essentially comparable grammars of great complexity with remarkable rapidity." Coursework will include readings and weekly problem sets in phonology (sound structure) and syntax (sentences)

Instructor: Lise Dobrin

Lngs 325 - Introduction to Linguistic Theory and Analysis

Introduces sign systems, language as a sign system, and approaches to linguistic description. Emphasizes the aplication of descriptive techniques to data.

Instructor: Mark Elson

ANTH 549/PSYC 584: Ethnopsychologies

Please see description above under Cognitive Psychology..*9-10-03- We have just been notified that this course does not count towards the linguistic cogsci requirement.It will count towards the required 30 cogsci credits however.Sorry for any inconvenience.

PSYC 585- Language Development

Instructor: Vikram Jaswal

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Computer Science

All CS courses except CS 110, CS120,  CS182
The most common intro level CS courses our majors take are: CS 200 and CS 101

Neuroscience

PSYC 220: Intro to Psychobiology

One approach to understanding human behavior is to consider ourselves from a biological perspective. This course attempts to do so by examining how the brain guides behavior. The first portion is an overview of the structure and function of the central nervous system. With this knowledge, we then examine how the brain controls a variety of higher behaviors, including learning and memory, sex, emotions and sleeping.

Instructor:Peter Brunjes

** OR- BIOL: 317 CAN COUNT FOR THIS REQUIREMENT. BOTH WILL NOT COUNT TOWARD THE MAJOR **

PSYC 321/529 Psychobiology Lab * Prerequisite: PSYC 220 or PSYC 420, PSYC 305 strongly recommended.

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; prior or concurrent enrollment in PSYC 321 is highly 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: Dave Hill

PSYC 582: MInd- Body Interactions *Prerequisites:PSYC 101 and 220

Psychological states, such as stress, profoundly influence bodily functions. Similarly, signals from the body modulate psychological states including anxiety and depression as well as cognitive functions such as learning and memory. In this seminar we will explore the pathways and neural mechanisms by
which these bi-directional interactions occur.

Instructor: Lisa Goehler

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