Syllabus
Psychology 455 – Cognitive Science
Spring Semester 2012
Schroeder 102 – MW 2:00pm - 3:15 p.m.
Instructor: Dr. Steve Croker
Course webpage http://my.ilstu.edu/~sfcroke/psy455/
Contact Information
Office:
DeGarmo 417
E-Mail:
s.croker@ilstu.edu
Phone:
438-7847
Office Hours
Tues/Weds: 11:00am – 12:00pm
other times by appointment
This course aims to develop students’ understanding of cognitive science as an interdisciplinary study of
mind and intelligence. Building on theories and research taught across psychology, and drawing on
concepts from philosophy, psychology and artificial intelligence, students will examine key issues in the
study of mind and the attempt to synthesize intelligence.
Catalog Course Description (3 credit hours):
Advanced overview of the interdisciplinary field of cognitive science focusing on readings from
philosophy, computer science, psychology, and theoretical biology.
Prerequisites: The prerequisite for this course is PSY 418 or departmental approval.
Course Objectives:
1. To gain an understanding of the philosophy of cognitive science
2. To take a multidisciplinary approach to the nature of mind
3. To develop, critique, and defend positions on the nature of mind
4. Demonstrate an understanding of, and critically evaluate, key issues, concepts and theories in
cognitive science.
Required Textbook:
Clark, A. (2001) Mindware: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Cognitive Science. New York: Oxford
University Press.
Readings:
In addition to the textbook, there are assigned readings for each class session. Most of the course
readings can be found on course reserve on the Milner Library website: http://vufind.carli.illinois.edu/vfisu/Search/Reserves?course=833
Participation in class discussions:
This class will be taught in a seminar style. Thus, participation is crucial to the success of the class. It is
imperative that you not only do the reading in preparation for that day’s discussion but also come to class
prepared to discuss them.
Attendance Policy:
Reliability and punctuality are two essential professional courtesies. You are expected to attend all
classes and arrive promptly. In the event an absence is unavoidable, you do not need to notify me.
However, lecture notes should be obtained from a classmate. Students involved in University-sanctioned
events that may result in missed classes should notify me as soon as possible.
Academic Integrity and Misconduct:
You are expected to do your own work. Cheating, plagiarism, or forgery will not be tolerated. Instances of
academic misconduct will result in a grade of “F” in the course and appropriate disciplinary action. For
more information, see the Student Code of Conduct.
Disability Concerns:
Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability should contact
Disability Concerns at 350 Fell Hall, 438-5853 (voice), 438-8620 (TTY).
Assignments:
Grades will be based on two papers, class participation, and creation of discussion questions for one or
more of the course readings
Paper 1
Paper 2
Class participation
Lead a class discussion
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=
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30%
50%
10%
10%
***All assignments must be submitted in class on the date noted on the schedule. Electronic
papers will not be accepted and late assignments will be assessed at a late penalty of 10% per
day. ***
Psy 455 Course Schedule Spring 2012
Week
Date
Preparatory Reading
Topic
1
01/16
-
MLK day – NO CLASS
01/18
-
Introduction
01/23
Mindware Chapter 1
Can machines think?
01/25
*Turing, A. M. (1950). Computing machinery and
intelligence. Mind, 59(236), 433-460.
Can machines think?
2
*Hofstadter, D. R. (1985). Metamagical themas.
London: Penguin. (Chapter 22: “A Coffeehouse
Conversation on the Turing Test”, pp.492-525).
3
4
01/30
*Franklin, S. (1995). Artificial Minds. Cambridge, MA:
MIT Press. (Chapter 4: “Symbolic AI”, pp.71-97).
Symbolic AI & search
02/01
*Newell, A. & Simon, H. A. (1976), Computer science
as empirical inquiry: Symbols and search.
Communications of the ACM, 19(3), 113-126.
Symbolic AI & search
02/06
Mindware Chapter 2
Symbolic AI – knowledge
representation
02/08
*Jones, G., Ritter, F. E., & Wood, D. J. (2000). Using
a cognitive architecture to examine what develops.
Psychological Science, 11(2), 93-100.
Symbolic AI – knowledge
representation
*Siegler, R. S., & Shrager, J. (1984). Strategy
choices in addition and subtraction: How do children
know what to do? In C. Sophian (Ed.), The origins of
cognitive skills (pp. 229-293). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
5
6
02/13
*Searle, J. R. (1981). Minds, brains, and programs. In
J. Haugeland (Ed.), Mind design. Cambridge, MA:
MIT Press. (pp.183-204).
Criticisms of AI
02/15
*Boden, M. A. (1990). Escaping from the Chinese
room. In M. A. Boden (Ed.), The philosophy of
artificial intelligence. Oxford: OUP. (pp.89-104).
Criticisms of AI
02/20
*Churchland, P. M. (1988). Matter and
consciousness. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. (Chapter
2: “The Ontological Problem (the Mind-Body
Problem)”, pp.7-49).
Philosophy of mind: The
mind-body problem
02/22
*Tang, P. & Mills, J. (2005) Are mind and brain the
same? In M. Mason (Ed.), Taking sides: Clashing
views on controversial issues in cognitive science.
Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill. (pp.2-21).
Philosophy of mind: The
mind-body problem
7
8
9
02/27
*Jackson, F. (1986). What Mary didn't know. The
Journal of Philosophy, 83(5), pp. 291-295.
Philosophy of mind: The
mind-body problem
02/29
*Nagel, T. (1981). What is it like to be a bat? In D. R.
Hofstadter & D. C. Dennett (Eds.), The mind’s I.
London: Penguin. (pp.391-414).
Consciousness
03/05
*Chalmers, D. (1995). Facing up to the problem of
consciousness. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 2
(3), 200-219.
Consciousness
03/07
*Dennett, D. (1991). Consciousness explained.
Boston: Little, Brown. (Chapter 5 “Multiple drafts
Versus the Cartesian Theatre”, pp.101-138).
Consciousness
03/12
PAPER 1 DUE
SPRING BREAK
03/14
10
03/19
*Crick, F. and Koch, C. (1990) Towards a
neurobiological theory of consciousness. Seminars in
the Neurosciences, 2, 263-275
Consciousness
03/21
*Jordan, J. S. (in press) Consciousness and
embodiment.
Consciousness
(guest discussant: Dr. J. Scott
Jordan)
11
12
13
03/26
*Hofstadter, D. R. (1979). Gödel, Escher, Bach: an
eternal golden braid. London: Penguin. (“Prelude”
and “…Ant Fugue”, pp.275-284 AND pp.310-336).
Neural networks
03/28
Mindware Chapter 4
Neural networks
04/02
*McClelland, J. L., Patterson, K., Pinker, S. & Ullman,
M. (2002). The past tense debate: Papers and replies
by S. Pinker & M. Ullman and by J. McClelland & K.
Patterson. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 6, 456-474.
Neural networks
04/04
*Elman, J. L. (1998). Connectionism, artificial life, and
dynamical systems: New approaches to old
questions. In W. Bechtel and G. Graham (Eds.) A
Companion to Cognitive Science. Oxford: Blackwell
(pp.488-505).
Neural networks
04/09
*Brooks, R. A., (1991). Intelligence without
representation, Artificial Intelligence Journal, 47,
139–159.
Robots & biological
intelligence
04/11
*Webb, B (2000) What does robotics offer animal
behaviour? Animal Behaviour, 60, 545-558.
Robots & biological
intelligence
14
15
16
04/16
Mindware Chapter 6
A-life
04/18
*Boden, M. A. (1996). Autonomy and artificiality. In
M. A. Boden (Ed.), The philosophy of artificial life.
Oxford: OUP. (pp.95-108).
A-life
04/23
*van Gelder, T. (1995). What might cognition be, if
not computation. The Journal of Philosophy, 92, 345381.
Dynamics
04/25
*Wagman, J. B. (2010). What is responsible for the
emergence of order and pattern in psychological
systems? Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical
Psychology, 30, 32-50.
Dynamics
04/30
Mindware Chapter 8
Cognitive Technology
05/02
*Clark, A. & Chalmers, D. (1998). The extended
mind. Analysis, 58, 7-19.
Cognitive Technology
(guest discussant: Dr. Jeff
Wagman)
PAPER 2 DUE
The above schedule is for guidance only and may be subject to change.
*items on course reserve at Milner Library: http://vufind.carli.illinois.edu/vfisu/Search/Reserves?course=833