Special Topics in Cognition (460-0-1)
Topic
Culture and Cognition: a Developmental Science App
Instructors
Sandra R Waxman
Meeting Info
Swift Hall 231: Mon 12:30PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
In recent years, a burgeoning field known as Developmental Science has inspired new
disciplinary and interdisciplinary ventures, connecting fundamental principles of developmental
science to models of developmental mechanisms in one direction, and to policy in the other.
The very best work in Developmental Science draws upon strong theoretical traditions to
consider how adopting a developmental perspective enriches our understanding of development
broadly, including cognitive, social, language and neural development. With this broad topical
reach and with a healthy respect for crossing disciplinary boundaries, we will discuss classic
theoretical issues, consider evidence from diverse methodological approaches, aim to spark new
insights, and perhaps motivate new collaborations.
In this seminar, we take advantage of both timely reviews and primary source materials. Although
we will focus primarily on ‘normative' human development within the first two years of life,
seminar discussions will provide ample opportunity to consider how cross-species, crosslinguistic,
and cross-cultural developmental research can inform these issues.
This seminar is participation-intensive. Students pursuing PhD's in diverse disciplines are
encouraged to join. There is one text: We will read selected chapters of Spelke's 2022 book,
What Babies Know, Vol 1. Core Knowledge and Composition. There will also be a curated set of
additional readings each week. These will center on an outstanding recent review from either the
Annual Review of Developmental Psychology or the Annual Review of Psychology, along with
related primary source materials. Students are expected to come to each seminar meeting
prepared to discuss the readings and to make connections among them.
There are no prerequisites, but it would be best if students have some background in either
Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology or Language Acquisition.
Teaching Method
Seminar Structure:
• Format: Each seminar meeting will begin with introductory comments by Prof Waxman,
followed by student-led class discussion of required readings.
• Discussion Leaders: Each week (after week 2), one or two students will be responsible
for leading discussion of the week's readings and your posted reaction papers
(powerpoint slides are preferred).
• Reaction papers: These brief written comments reflect on the week's readings. These
must be posted on the discussion board on Canvas by noon on the day before each class.
Evaluation Method
Weekly class participation & posted reaction papers (20 points)
Leadership of class discussion (20 points)
In-class presentation of supplementary papers assigned to you (20 points)
Final paper (40 points)
Class Materials (Required)
All readings will be available (hyperlinks) on Canvas.
Class Attributes
Attendance at 1st class mandatory
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Pre-requisite: Student must be part of the Psychology PhD program to enroll.