COGS11: Minds and Brains (Winter 2017)

Time: Tuesday & Thursday, 3:30pm-4:50pm in CENTER 119

Instructor: Lera Boroditsky (cogs11-l@mailman.ucsd.edu); Office hours Thursdays 12:30-1pm in CSB 215

TAs:         

    Parla Buyruk (pbuyruk@ucsd.edu); Office hours Tuesdays 1:15- 3:15pm  in CSB 235

    Franklin Orndorff-Plunkett (forndorf@eng.ucsd.edu); Office hours Fridays 10am-1pm  in CSB 114

Section: there are no sections for this class - please visit us in office hours (see above)

Description: How do we get so smart?  How are we able to perceive the world around us, learn languages, make decisions, remember the past, or predict the future?  How does a mass of neural tissue  think?  What are thoughts made of?  These are the questions we will attempt to answer as we survey the major topics in cognitive science.

Class website: For all information about the class including readings and lecture slides, please visit the class website at https://goo.gl/ON84rL

Policy on email:  Please send all class-related questions to cogs11-l@mailman.ucsd.edu

 If you ever have a question about anything in the class, first check the course website. If your question is not answered, send your question to cogs11-l@mailman.ucsd.edu. This email will go to the TA and the professor, and you will be guaranteed the fastest and most informed reply.  Professor Boroditsky will not reply to any class-related email sent to her email account directly.  If you have a question about class content, please come to office hours and chat with us about it.  We love visitors!

Readings: There is no textbook to buy.  All readings will be posted on the class website.  Please have your readings completed before the class for which they are assigned.

Grading: Your job is to come to class, do the readings, get involved in the material, tell your roommates about what you’ve learned in class, and ask lots and lots of questions.  The class grades will be based on 5 in-class quizzes (worth 50%, you drop lowest score), and a final exam (50%).

50% - 5 Quizzes (lowest one dropped)                    

50% - Final exam                                              

Quizzes: There will be 5 in-class quizzes.  The quizzes will be mixed-format: some multiple choice and some short-answer.  The quizzes will be based half on the material covered in lectures, and half on the material in the readings. The quizzes will focus on new material covered since the last quiz.  The quizzes will take place on the dates specified in the schedule.  Please come on time – you will not get extra time if you are late.  We will automatically drop the lowest score from your 5 quizzes.  The remainder will make up 50% of your total class grade.

Final Exam: this cumulative mixed-format exam will make up 50% of your final grade.

Final is scheduled for Tuesday of exam week (March 21st) 3-6pm

Submit candidate quiz & exam questions: One great way to study is to write and answer your own exam questions.  Here’s your chance to submit candidate questions - we may use your question, and if so, then you’ll have the advantage of already knowing the answer! http://goo.gl/forms/cJP6m56YGr

Schedule of meetings and assignments