The course aims to discuss different kinds of models in cognitive sciences.

1. Introduction

1.1 The three approaches to cognitive science

1.2 The centrality of the concept of information

1.3 The mind-body problem and its main solutions

2. The computational approach

2.1 The Turing machine

2.2 The Turing test

2.3 Multirealizability

2.4 Mental states

3. Connectionism

3.1 Neural networks

3.2 Applications

3.3 The explanation problem

4. Embodied cognition

4.1 A different cycle

4.2 The centrality of action.

4.3 Information again

5. Conclusions

none

Knowledge and understanding: after completing the course, students will be able to appreciate models of the mind based on logical theories.

Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to evaluate naturalistic research projects on the human mind

Ability to draw conclusions (making judgments): students will be able to build simple mental models

Communication skills: students will be able to orally present their point of view on the naturalization of the mind

Learning skills: students will be able to study new mental models.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Supporting materials will be uploaded in the blended. 

Teaching

Lectures and flipped learning.

The teaching is delivered in a blended mode, that is, the lectures
are held in-person in the classroom and are simultaneously transmitted remotely within the
Moodle platform.

Innovative teaching methods

Flipped learning

Attendance

For students who want to take the exam as attending is advisable to attend at least two thirds of the lessons.

Course books

Stuff produced by the teacher.

Assessment

The assessment is oral. 

At least two questions will be asked of the candidates.

The criteria on the basis of which the answers will be evaluated are:

1. Clear and informed exposition.

2. Mastery of the topics covered in class.

3. Ability to critically expound content.

4. Ability to personally elaborate the topics.

To achieve sufficiency, the first criterion must be fully met.

To achieve praise, the fourth criterion must be fully met.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Zoom interviews, blended material, receiving e-mail.

Attendance

none

Course books

J. McCormick, Nine algorithms which changed the future, Princeton University Press

M. Davis, The universal computer, A K Peters/CRC Press

Assessment

The assessment is oral. 

At least two questions will be asked of the candidates.

The criteria on the basis of which the answers will be evaluated are:

1. Clear and informed exposition.

2. Mastery of the topics covered in the two books.

3. Ability to critically expound content.

4. Ability to personally elaborate the topics.

To achieve sufficiency, the first criterion must be fully met.

To achieve praise, the fourth criterion must be fully met.

This grade is averaged with the Artificial Intelligence grade.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.