PHIL 2030 - Cognitive Science: Minds, Brains & Computers
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2023
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PHIL 2030 Course Cognitive Science: Minds, Brains & Computers Coordinating Unit Philosophy Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study Incompatible PHIL 2013 or PHIL 3013 Assessment Two essays (2500 words each) 50% each Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Philip Gerrans
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
This course aims to:
1. introduce students to the central topics and problems in the philosophy of cognitive science; and
2. Develop an understanding of related topics in philosophy, cogntiive psychology, computer science and neuroscience.
After successfully completing this course, students should:
3. Be aware of the main philosophical positions in cognitive science;
4. Have experience in analyzing and critiquing written arguments;
5. Show improvement in problem solving and critical reasoning skills; and
6. Be able to discuss and debate philosophical issues in a group setting.
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1, 2, 3 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
4, 5, 6 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
4, 5, 6 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
4, 5, 6 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Workshop readings will be made available on MyUni. These are also suitable reference material for preparation of your written assignments.
Additional readings for preparing your essays will be made available on MyUni.Online Learning
Lecture notes will be available on MyUni each week. These are summaries and are not a substitute for attending lectures.
Lecture recordings will be posted on MyUni following the lectures. Sometimes these take a day or two to go up, so please be patient.
Workshop questions for the following week will be available on MyUni. Before each workshop, please read the set material, available on MyUni, and submit your answers online. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course will be taught by a 2-hour lecture and a 1-hour workshop each week. Workshop readings and questions will be available on MyUni in the week preceeding the workshop. Your assessment includes a mark for brief written answers to the workshop questions. Ideally, you should attempt these before the workshop.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The information below is a guide to the average number of hours per week you should spend on this course.
The total is (12 weeks x12 hours per week) = 144 hours over the whole semester.
1 x 3 hour workshop per week
3 hours revision per week
3 hours tutorial preparation per week
3 hours assessment work (essay and exam preparation)
Total per week 12 hoursLearning Activities Summary
Topics will include:
1. The computational model of the mind (2 workshops);
2. Classical (digital) and connectionist (analog) approaches to cognition (6 workshops);
3. Challenges to traditional cognitive science: Embodied cognition, exctended cognition, and dynamical systems theory (4 workshops). -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Workshop
ParticipationFormative 20% Essay 1 Summative 40% Essay 2 Summative 40% Assessment Detail
The assessment will involve workshop participation and two essays.
Workshop Participation. Brief written answers to workshop questions each week.Essay 1 (1500-1800 words). Based on the material from Weeks 1-6.Essay 2 (1500-1800 words). Based on the material from Weeks 7-12.Submission
The essays will be submitted electronically via MyUni. Details of the submission process will be provided with the essay questions.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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