Seminar in the Neural Bases of Cognition
Fall 2009 PSYC 1880 S01
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Instructor: Rebecca D. Burwell
Please check the Detailed Class Information for up to date information about this course.
Information on meeting times for this course can be found on Course Schedule at http://selfservice.brown.edu
View course syllabus
Course Description
Research using animal models has informed and guided many of the recent advances in our understanding of the brain mechanisms underlying cognition. This seminar course will address topics related to animal models of human cognition. Students learn about how different aspects of the neural bases of cognition are modeled in animals by reviewing the primary research literature. The course is divided into three sections, each addressing one animal model in one cognitive domain. Selected papers will emphasize learning, memory, and attention, but may also address other aspects of cognition, for example decision-making, or cognitive impairment associated with neuropathology or aging. Prerequisite: background in psychology, neuroscience, or linguistics/cognitive science including an introductory course (PSYC 0470, COGS 0720, or NEUR 0010) and a laboratory course (PSYC 1030, PSYC 1200, PSYC 1450, or NEUR 1600) or instructor permission.
Instructor's Description
This semester the course will be taught by Professor Kjesten Wiig (kwiig@Galenea.com). In Fall 2008, Dr. Wiig taught a similar course, PSYC1800 Animal Cognition. There is a guest account on the course webpage for PSYC1880 in MyCourses.
Assignments and Grading
For each segment, you will read and evaluate the selected research papers and participate in the class discussion. You will be required to give two or three short presentations during class on selected research papers and to write a paper at the end of the course. The format of the paper will resemble a referee's critique of a manuscript that has been submitted to a journal; you will be the referee, and Dr. Wiig will provide the manuscript. There will be no exams or quizzes. Participation will include active discussion of weekly assigned papers, presentations during the semester, and one short paper. The assumption is that everyone will earn an A for the course. The best ways to reduce your grade are to come unprepared to participate, to come prepared but not participate, or not to come at all.
Readings and Required Texts
Assigned readings will be available on the MyCourses site.