This course explores current issues in the study of meaning and its interaction with other areas of cognitive science. The focus is on cognitive semantics, pragmatics, and meaning construction in general. The course provides a review of the neurochemistry of cognition. The main focus of this course is the relationship between nervous system function and cognition. It covers broad theoretical issues and specific topics.
Material comes from lectures, papers, and the text.
Topic varies each time the course is offered. Factors important in their development and several different experimental approaches employed in their study are also considered. Students prepare computer modeling projects or research papers. Laboratory rotations provide students with experience in the various experimental methods used in cognitive science. Students engage in discussions of reading of recent research in an area designated and directed by the instructor and also participate in the design and execution of original research.