Central topics include how perceptual information enters the mind; How attention is used to select from the array of available sensory information; How knowledge is organized in memory; How new information is added and how it is retrieved from memory; How knowledge is transformed by reasoning. We will also address how emotions and culture may influence cognition.

The course is designed with 5 goals in mind, which will help you work towards achieving the main learning objectives of the major (indicated in parenthesis). At the end of the course you should be able to:

1.     Understand the key concepts and themes and critically evaluate theories in cognitive psychology using the appropriate terminology (LOS1)

2.     Explain the implications (and application) of cognitive psychology to everyday life (LOS1)

3.     Understand and critically evaluate the strength and weaknesses of the methods used and the questions addressed in cognitive psychology (LOS2)

4.     Critically evaluate cognitive psychology research, including quantitative data (e.g., statistics, graphs, tables) (LOS2)

5.     Accurately summarize and present information from psychological sources (LOS3)

Attendance is not mandatory, but it is STRONGLY recommended. Some material - such as in-depth description of studies, examples, exercises, etc. – will only be presented in class. It is your responsibility to arrive in class ON TIME. Please try not to arrive late and/or leave early. Should you arrive late, or need to leave early, please sit in the back of the class, to avoid disrupting class. Individual students who have to miss class should notify the professor in advance to make arrangements.

Laptops and Other Devices. The use of laptop or tablet computer in class is only allowed to take notes. If you are found to use it for other purposes, you will lose this privilege. The use of smartphone in class in not allowed. Likewise, you may not use a music player or headphones, unless they are attached to a hearing-assistive device approved by the professor (i.e., me). If you are given such an exception, it will be immediately and permanently revoked if you abuse the technology for off-topic purposes. For certain activities in-class, the instructor may request you to bring a laptop or to take it out and use it for that specific purpose.

- EXAMINATION POLICY:

You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.