Special Topics in Cognition/Neuroscience (330-0-20)
Topic
Brain and Language
Instructors
Mark Beeman
847/491-4617
104 Cresap Hall
Office Hours: Office Hours: M 11:00am-noon, by appt
Meeting Info
555 Clark B01: Mon, Wed, Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Overview of class
This course examines the cognitive neuroscience of language, from language acquisition to language loss following brain injury. Students will learn about the many processes of language and the array of cognitive neuroscience methods and theoretical approaches employed to study it. Besides lectures and supplemental videos, we will integrate student activities such as in class and assigned demonstration experiments, and student discussions or debates, depending in part on course enrollment (class size).
Class will meet and lectures will be presented in person. If possible, they will be recorded.
Registration Requirements
None. Mutually exclusive with Cognitive Science 210 (i.e., can't take both for credit).
Learning Objectives
Students will understand how evidence from multiple methods converge - or don't - on conclusions about separable cognitive and neural processes that support normal language function; how normal language function can be disrupted and/or recovered; and the complementary pros, cons, and constraints of many different methods of cognitive neuroscience.
Teaching Method
Lecture: Tests & quizzes heavily draw from lectures & homeworks
Reading: Maybe a few light readings (via links or PDFs on Canvas)
Writing Assignments: Short written homeworks (evaluated for content, not writing)
Video: Posted online lectures
Class participation, demonstrations, discussion
Evaluation Method
Final Exam: 35% of grade
Mid-Term Exam: 30% of grade
Homework: Weekly (most weeks, 20% of grade)
Quizzes: Online; weekly (most weeks); 15% of grade
Class Materials (Required)
Readings, videos, other materials provided via Canvas. No textbook to purchase.
Class Notes
[Note: If/when approved by CogSci Program and by registrar, this course should substitute for Cognitive Science 210].
Class Attributes
Attendance at 1st class mandatory
Prerequisites apply, see description