Cognitive Science 1: Introduction and Welcome Kim Sweeney April 1, 2008

What is Cognitive Science? How does the brain… How does the brain… make “mind”?

What is Cognitive Science? How do the brain and the body… How do the brain and the body… create our experience?

What is Cognitive Science? How do the brain, the body, and our interactions with other people… How do the brain, the body, and our interactions with other people… create our knowledge?

What is Cognitive Science? A young science. A young science.  UCSD’s Department of Cognitive Science was the first in the country! An interdisciplinary science. An interdisciplinary science.

What is Cognitive Science? Philosophy Psychology Neuroscience Computer Science Anthropology Linguistics Cognitive Science Psycholinguistics Neuropsychology Artificial Intelligence Philosophy of Mind Neuroethics Cultural Anthropology

Who is Cognitive Science?

What is Cognitive Science 1 ? Cogs1: Cogs1:  Journey

What is Cognitive Science 1 ? Cogs1: Cogs1:  Journey –New Languages –Strange Customs –Tour Guides

What is Cognitive Science 1 ? Cogs1: Cogs1:  Journey  Buffet

What is Cognitive Science 1 ? Cogs1: Cogs1:  Journey  Buffet –A “taste” of many different areas of research –Not all lectures will be your favorite dish. –At the end you’ll probably feel like you couldn’t possibly handle one more lecture, but after you’ve had time to digest it all you’ll feel better!

What is Cognitive Science 1 ? Cogs1: Cogs1:  Journey  Buffet  Adventure

What is Cognitive Science 1 ? Cogs1: Cogs1:  Journey  Buffet  Adventure (hopefully…) –You’ll end up going places you wouldn’t have imagined. –You’ll take some intellectual risks. –You’ll be nervous sometimes. –When it’s over you’ll want to do it all over again!

What is Cognitive Science 1 ? Cogs1: Cogs1:  Journey  Buffet  Adventure (Gilles Fauconnier, Seana Coulson, and Rafael Nuñez have all studied how metaphors work, how they influence how we understand language and how we use them to understand our world.) (Gilles Fauconnier, Seana Coulson, and Rafael Nuñez have all studied how metaphors work, how they influence how we understand language and how we use them to understand our world.)

Your Job Do the readings Do the readings –Ideally, both before and after lecture. Come to the lectures Come to the lectures –Body and mind. (i.e. awake, no web surfing, no texting, IMing, etc.) Go to section Go to section –Be on time, bring your questions. Help your TA help you. Make use of office hours Make use of office hours Hopefully, have fun! Hopefully, have fun!

Some landmarks… 30% Midterm 30% Midterm 35% Final (comprehensive, but more from 2 nd half) 35% Final (comprehensive, but more from 2 nd half) 20% Section Attendance (Including Quizzes) 20% Section Attendance (Including Quizzes) 15% 3 “Paperlettes”/ Impression Papers (5% each) 15% 3 “Paperlettes”/ Impression Papers (5% each) Required: 3 hours Experiment Participation Required: 3 hours Experiment Participation Extra credit (optional): up to 2 additional hours of experiments Extra credit (optional): up to 2 additional hours of experiments

30% Midterm 30% Midterm 35% Final (comprehensive, but more from 2 nd half) 35% Final (comprehensive, but more from 2 nd half) 20% Section Attendance (Including Quizzes) 20% Section Attendance (Including Quizzes) 15% 3 “Paperlettes”/ Impression Papers (5% each) 15% 3 “Paperlettes”/ Impression Papers (5% each) Required: 3 hours Experiment Participation Required: 3 hours Experiment Participation Extra credit (optional): up to 2 additional hours of experiments Extra credit (optional): up to 2 additional hours of experiments Some landmarks… If you do your job, this class will NOT be difficult!

Where to find info about the class Course website: Course website:  Lecture Schedule  Readings  Lecture Notes  Grading System  Key Words to know  Etc. Your TA, IA or instructor Your TA, IA or instructor  s can be found on website under “information”

A few words about cheating. Don’t do it. Don’t do it. No, really: don’t do it. No, really: don’t do it.

Cognitive Science Student Association cssa.ucsd.edu 3rd Annual Cognitive Science Conference 3rd Annual Cognitive Science Conference "The Cutting Edge of Cognitive Science" "The Cutting Edge of Cognitive Science" April 5, :00am-4:00pm Wiki with course information for students by students (there’s even a page about how to do well in this course!) Wiki with course information for students by students (there’s even a page about how to do well in this course!) Social events (game nights, paint ball…) Social events (game nights, paint ball…) Professional advice Professional advice Academic guidance Academic guidance

Changing your brain…

Next Class… Next Class… Christine Johnson “Alien Intelligences: The Minds of Other Animals”

Questions? Questions? See you on Thursday! See you on Thursday!