PHL 290A: Language, Perception, and the Mind
Syllabus
Ken Aizawa
The aim of this course is to survey some leading conceptions concerning the relationship
between language, perception, and the mind. To what extent, if any, and how, if at all, does
language influence thought? To what extent, if any, and how, if at all, does perception influence
thought?
Week
8/21/06
8/23/06
Readings
Introduction
Whorf, “Science and Linguistics” (1940) [On reserve]
Brown and Lennenberg, “A Study In Language and Cognition” (excerpt) [On
reserve]
8/25/06
Whorf, “Science and Linguistics” (1940) [On reserve]
Brown and Lennenberg, “A Study In Language and Cognition” (excerpt) [On
reserve]
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8/28/06
Whorf, “Science and Linguistics” (1940) [On reserve ]
Schaller, A Man Without Words.
8/30/06
Whorf, “Science and Linguistics” (1940) [On reserve]
Schaller, A Man Without Words.
9/1/06
Whorf, “Languages and Logic” (1941) [On reserve]
Ellen Markman, (Constraints Children Place on Word Meaning(. [On reserve]
Quiz #1
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9/04/06
Whorf, “Languages and Logic” (1941) [On reserve]
Ellen Markman, (Constraints Children Place on Word Meaning(. [On reserve]
9/06/06
Skinner, Verbal Behavior, (1957), excerpts. [On reserve]
9/08/06
Skinner, Verbal Behavior, (1957) excerpts. [On reserve]
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9/11/06
Skinner, Verbal Behavior, (1957) excerpts. [On reserve]
9/13/06
Skinner, Verbal Behavior, (1957) excerpts. [On reserve]
9/15/06
Chomsky=s review of Verbal Behavior (1959). [On reserve]
Quiz #2
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9/18/06
Chomsky=s review of Verbal Behavior (1959). [On reserve]
9/20/06
Chomsky=s review of Verbal Behavior (1959). [On reserve]
9/22/06
Chomsky=s Language and Mind, Chapter 1
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9/25/06
Chomsky=s Language and Mind, Chapter 1
9/27/06
Chomsky=s Language and Mind, Chapter 2, pp. 24-38, 62-64.
9/29/06
Chomsky=s Language and Mind, Chapter 2, pp. 24-38, 62-64.
Quiz #3
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10/2/06
Chomsky=s Language and Mind, Chapter 3.
10/4/06
Chomsky=s Language and Mind, Chapter 3.
10/6/06
Chomsky=s Language and Mind, Chapter 3.
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10/09/06
Fodor, Modularity of Mind, Part I, pp. 2-37.
10/11/06
No Class – Fall Break
10/13/06
No Class – Fall Break
***************
10/16/06
Fodor, Modularity of Mind, Part II, pp. 38-47.
10/18/06
Fodor, Modularity of Mind, Part III, pp. 47-100.
10/20/06
Fodor, Modularity of Mind, Part III, pp. 47-100.
Quiz #4
***************
10/23/06
Fodor, Modularity of Mind, Part III, pp. 47-100.
10/25/06
Fodor, Modularity of Mind, Part III, pp. 47-100
10/27/06
Akmajian, Demers, Farmer, and Harnish, Chapter 12, (Language and the Brain)
[On reserve]
***************
10/30/06
Fodor, Modularity of Mind, Part IV, pp. 101-118.
11/01/06
Fodor, Modularity of Mind, Part V, pp. 119-129
11/03/06
Fodor, Modularity of Mind, Part V, pp. 119-129
Quiz #5
***************
11/06/06
Churchland, Scientific Realism and the Plasticity of Mind, Chapter 1 [Reserve]
11/08/06
Churchland, Scientific Realism and the Plasticity of Mind, Chapter 1 [Reserve]
11/10/06
Churchland, Scientific Realism and the Plasticity of Mind, Chapter 1 [Reserve]
***************
11/13/06
Churchland, Scientific Realism and the Plasticity of Mind, Chapter 2 [Reserve]
11/15/06
Churchland, Scientific Realism and the Plasticity of Mind, Chapter 2. [Reserve]
11/17/06
Churchland, Scientific Realism and the Plasticity of Mind, Chapter 2. [Reserve]
**************
11/20/06
No Class - Thanksgiving Break
11/22/06
No Class - Thanksgiving Break
11/24/06
No Class - Thanksgiving Break
**************
11/27/06
Fodor, “Observation Reconsidered” [On Reserve]
11/29/06
Fodor, “Observation Reconsidered” [On Reserve]
12/01/06
Churchland, “Perceptual Plasticity and Theoretical Neutrality” [On Reserve]
**************
12/04/06
Churchland, “Perceptual Plasticity and Theoretical Neutrality” [On Reserve]
12/06/06
Fodor, “A Reply to Churchland=s >Perceptual Plasticity and Theoretical
Neutrality=” [On Reserve]
12/08/06
Fodor, “A Reply to Churchland=s >Perceptual Plasticity and Theoretical
Neutrality=” [On Reserve]
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During final exam session: Quiz #7 and Final Paper Due.