Course title
6M010800,7M9926001
Seminar in Cognitive Science

 YATABE Kiyomi
Purpose of class
The ultimate goal of the class is to integrate ideas, concepts, constructs, methodologies, and theories from across different disciplines and different perspectives on cognitive and intelligent systems and apply their knowledge to a potential technical system that creates new products and services.
Course content
Cognitive science draws on many disciplines such as philosophy, psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, and computer science. The course will first provide basic knowledge of standard theoretical approaches and methodologies in cognitive science for those with very different backgrounds, and then will draw a larger picture in the application of the field. Students will be expected to examine various discoveries in the field of cognitive science.
Goals and objectives
  1. Students will be able to understand standard theoretical approaches and methodologies in cognitive science.
  2. Students will be able to evaluate and discuss issues in cognitive science.
  3. Students will be able to synthesize ideas and to develop a new and deeper understanding.
  4. Students will be able to choose and apply appropriate theoretical framework given a certain problem related to human behavior.
Relationship between 'Goals and Objectives' and 'Course Outcomes'

 Class participation Short reports on discussion questions Final report Total.
1. 28% 28%
2. 28% 28%
3. 22% 22%
4. 22% 22%
Total. 28% 28% 44% -
Language
English
Class schedule

 Class schedule HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.) Amount of Time Required
1． Course overview/Representation and Computation Read Chapter 1 before the class meeting 80minutes
Read supplemental material for Chapter 1 and submit a short report on a discussion question at the next class meeting 100minutes
2． Logic Read Chapter 2 before the class meeting 80minutes
Read supplemental material for Chapter 2 and submit a short report on a discussion question at the next class meeting 100minutes
3． Rules Read Chapter 3 before the class meeting 80minutes
Read supplemental material for Chapter 3 and submit a short report on a discussion question at the next class meeting 100minutes
4． Concepts Read Chapter 4 before the class meeting 80minutes
Read supplemental material for Chapter 4 and submit a short report on a discussion question at the next class meeting 100minutes
5． Analogies Read Chapter 5 before the class meeting 80minutes
Read supplemental material for Chapter 5 and submit a short report on a discussion question at the next class meeting 100minutes
6． Images Read Chapter 6 before the class meeting 80minutes
Read supplemental material for Chapter 6 and submit a short report on a discussion question at the next class meeting 100minutes
7． Connections / Review and Evaluation Reading Chapter 7 ＆ 8 before the class meeting 80minutes
Read supplemental material for Chapter 7 and submit a short report on a discussion question at the next class meeting 100minutes
Partial preparation for final presentation/report at the end of the term 60minutes
8． Brains Read Chapter 9 before the class meeting 80minutes
Read supplemental material for Chapter 9 and submit a short report on a discussion question at the next class meeting 100minutes
9． Emotions Read Chapter 10 before the class meeting 80minutes
Read supplemental material for Chapter 10 and submit a short report on a discussion question at the next class meeting 100minutes
10． Consciousness Read Chapter 11 before the class meeting 80minutes
Read supplemental material for Chapter 11 and submit a short report on a discussion question at the next class meeting 100minutes
11． Bodies, the World, and Dynamic Systems Read Chapter 12 before the class meeting 80minutes
Read supplemental material for Chapter 12 and submit a short report on a discussion question at the next class meeting 100minutes
12． Societies / Invited Lecture (Introduction) Read Chapter 13 before the class meeting 80minutes
Read supplemental material for Chapter 13 and submit a short report on a discussion question at the next class meeting 100minutes
Preparation for discussion before the class meeting 60minutes
13． Invited Lecture (Discussion) / Societies Preparation for final presentation/report at the end of the term 180minutes
14． The Future of Cognitive Science /Reviewing/Course feedback Read Chapter 14 before the class meeting 80minutes
Submit a final report before due date 200minutes
Total. - - 2740minutes
Evaluation method and criteria
The final grade will be determined as follows:
Class participation (Regular attendance is presupposed; Active participation in class activities will be highly evaluated.) 28% (for 14 classes)
Short reports on discussion questions 28%
Final report 44%
Feedback on exams, assignments, etc.
ways of feedback specific contents about "Other"
The Others To be notified in the class.
Textbooks and reference materials
＜Textbook＞
Thagard, Paul R. (2005). Mind: Introduction to Cognitive Science, 2nd Edition. The MIT Press. Available in paperback (ISBN-13: 978-0262701099) or ”Rent eTextbook” at https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/mind-second-edition.
＜Reference and supplemental materials＞
To be mentioned by the lecturer during the course.
Prerequisites
None
Office hours and How to contact professors for questions
  • By appointment.
    The lecturer’s contact information will be given out in the first class.
Regionally-oriented
Non-regionally-oriented course
Development of social and professional independence
  • Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge
  • Course that cultivates a basic interpersonal skills
  • Course that cultivates a basic self-management skills
  • Course that cultivates a basic problem-solving skills
Active-learning course
Most classes are interactive
Course by professor with work experience
Work experience Work experience and relevance to the course content if applicable
Applicable The instructor has previous experience working as a researcher at private and public sector in the related fields and guides students in the development and validation of a hypothesis within the respective discipline.
Education related SDGs:the Sustainable Development Goals
  • 3.GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
  • 4.QUALITY EDUCATION
  • 9.INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
  • 11.SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
  • 16.PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
Last modified : Sat Mar 14 14:35:53 JST 2026