Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - COGS 100 D200

Exploring the Mind (3)

Class Number: 7361

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Shawn Tan
    sta146@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: Mondays: 1pm to 2pm, appointment via zoom, zoom link will be provided

  • Prerequisites:

    Open to all students.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course provides a basic integrative overview of how cognitive science aspires to integrate the empirical findings, theories, and methods of psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, computing science and philosophy. Students with credit for COGS 200 may not take COGS 100 for further credit. Breadth-Hum/Social Sci/Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

What is the mind? What does the mind do? How can we apply knowledge of the mind to situations in everyday life. This introductory course introduces the study of the mind from diverse disciplines such as philosophy, psychology, computer science, neuroscience, linguistics and evolutionary psychology, the methods that researchers in these disciplines use to study the mind. The course than introduces special topics of interest to researchers that study the mind such as language, pattern recognition and problem solving.

Grading

  • Six out of seven quizzes: 60%
  • Cumulative Test 1 20%
  • Cumulative Test 2 20%

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

Friedenberg, J., Silverman, G & Spivey, M. J. (2020). Cognitive Science: An Introduction to the Study of Mind (4th Edition). Sage Publishing.
ISBN: 9781544380155

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.