Tentative Course Offerings

COGS 171GS: Mirror Neuron System and Social Cognition | Professor Jaime Pineda

This class will examine the neuroanatomy, physiology, and functional correlates of the human mirror neuron system and its putative role in social cognition, e.g., action understanding, empathy, and theory of mind. We will examine the developmental, neuroimaging, electrophysiological, as well as clinical evidence for and against this hypothesis.

Global seminars summer course in Barcelona, Spain. MTuWTh 9:00:12:00 pm. For more details, go here.

Cogs 171GS is an approved course for Neuroscience Specialization elective, Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience elective, and general elective for CogSci major.

COGS 174GS: Drugs: Brain, Mind, and Culture | Professor Jaime Pineda

This course explores the relationship between drugs, the brain, mind, and culture. On our multidisciplinary adventure, we will examine phenomena as small and transient as chemical-docking at brain receptors, and as broad and ongoing as drug use through history. In addition to attending lectures, you will take an active role in learning by participating in discussion of the current and controversial topics presented in your reader, and by forming a group and making a course-related presentation.

Global seminars summer course in Barcelona, Spain. MTuWTh 9:00:12:00 pm. For more details, go here.

Cogs 174GS is an approved course for Neuroscience Specialization elective, Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience elective, and general elective for CogSci major.

COGS 160 (A00): Cognitive and Neuroscience for Architecture | Professor David Kirsh

This is a seminar and project-oriented class in which students and several faculty explore what is known at cognitive, neuroscientific and behavioral levels about the interaction of person and building (human building interaction, HBI). It is part of the emerging field of research concerned with applications of Cognitive Science and Neuroscience to Architectural and Urban Design. Topics include: what is HBI; how space and movement are cognized and used; what is architectural atmosphere; what is the metaverse and its forthcoming roles in architecture; how can we quantify effects of buildings on persons and study HBI scientifically; what is architectural legibility; what is place: how do we understand it and remember; how does architecture affect our emotions; how does it affect our work; how does it shape personal well-being and social dynamics. Students and faculty will critically present the contents of research papers, and work in practicums whose goal will be to investigate specific roles that science may play in reshaping architectural and urban design. Faculty include several members from Cognitive Science and the Salk Institute, guest lecturers from University of London, and architects from the US and abroad.

Class meet Monday 11:00am-1:50pm in CSB 003

Enrollment is by permission of the instructor only, request enrollment via EASy.

COGS 87 (A00): How Minds and Groups Make Religion and Superstition | Professor Gedeon Deak

Why do humans, individually and in groups, attribute natural events to supernatural agents? How does the human brain accept religious beliefs, even in the face of contradictory evidence? We will examine how cognitive, developmental, and cultural factors work together to cause humans to believe in the supernatural.

DSGN 119: Design at Large - Resilience In a Changing World | Staff

The near future is clarifying itself. Over the coming decades, life will change as we know it on planet Earth. From climate instability to culture change, plagues of misinformation to global pandemics, human society faces more threats than at any other time in our history. At the same time, humanity is newly equipped to adapt, with emerging tools like artificial intelligence, synthetic biology and social innovation that have the power to reverse the narrative of impending global disruption. The time is now for us to integrate these pwoerful new methods - to intentionally design a more Just and Resilient future together.

The Resilience In a Changing World series will invite speakers to speculte on how we get from here to there, from our current inflection point to habitable futures where both our people and planet thrive amidst increasing uncertainty and change.

2 units, P/NP grade.  Meets Wednesdays 4:00pm-5:00pm at DIB 208.

Prerequisites: COMM 124A or COGS 10 or DSGN 1

COGS 87 (A00): How Minds & Cultures Make Religion & Superstition | Professor Gedeon Deak

Why do humans, individually and in groups, attribute natural events to supernatural agents? How does the human brain accept religious beliefs, even in the face of contradictory evidence? We will examine how cognitive, developmental, and cultural factors work together to cause humans to believe in the supernatural.