Introduction to Cognitive Science (G5077)
Introduction to Cognitive Science: Minds, Machines and Consciousness
Module G5077
Module details for 2025/26.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 4
Module Outline
What is mind? How can our view of ourselves as subjects with a mental life be reconciled with the non-mental, scientific accounts we have of our brains and bodies? We will look at a number of different physicalist theories, concentrating on variants of the view that cognition is computation, and on neurophysiologically-based accounts of mind. In doing so, we will examine some of the basic issues underlying cognitive science as an interdisciplinary study of the mind, taking in topics from psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, computing, artificial intelligence, robotics, evolutionary theory, biology and philosophy along the way.
Library
Rather than a set text, students will read a selection of chapters and articles, such as: Jackson, Frank (1986). "What Mary Didn't Know". Journal of Philosophy (83): 291-295.
Searle, John (1980), "Minds, Brains and Programs", Behavioral and Brain Sciences 3 (3): 417-457
Turing, Alan (October 1950), "Computing Machinery and Intelligence", Mind LIX (236): 433-460
Module learning outcomes
Describe basic philosophical and methodological problems in cognitive science.
Discuss the way different disciplines (eg psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, linguistics, computer science and AI, robotics, biology, etc.) collaborate and compete together over their treatment of common themes in cognitive science.
Express ideas, thinking and reasoning clearly and critically reflect upon their own views and prejudices.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 100.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Essay | A1 Week 1 | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 12221111111 |
| Autumn Semester | Seminar | 1 hour | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Simon Bowes
Assess convenor
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