• Britz Juliane

THIS CLASS STARTS IN THE 2ND WEEK OF THE SEMESTER ON FEBRUARY 26!

Class Contents

This class covers the cognitive and neural bases underlying perception attention, memory, language, executive function, emotions and social behavior as well as the electrophysiological and imaging methods used to study them in humans and animals.

In each session, we cover one chapter from the textbook along with some additional material.

Class Outline

This class is taught as a lecture, using several active learning activities that will help students to better understand the contents. You can deepen your knowledge of the covered topics by means of exercises and by discussions between pairs and in the plenum.

Your presence is not mandatory but recommended. You can pass the class and the exam without being physically present if you read the textbook and work through the slides. Please note however that the active learning strategies offered in class provide a fun way to process the class contents.

IMPORTANT: All information about this class can be found in the syllabus, please download.

Learning Outcomes

The goal of this class is to provide a first introduction to the fascinating topic of Cognitive Neuroscience. After having taken this class, students will be able to:

• Effectively prepare and revise each session:
• Reflect critically about topics in cognitive neuroscience and express their opinion orally
  • preparing for class by going through the relevant chapters using the PQRST method, which helps to identify potential knowledge gaps to be filled during class
  • take effective hand-written notes using the Cornell method.
  • revise each class effectively with the hand-written notes.
• Reflect critically about topics in cognitive neuroscience and express their opinion orally
  • find solutions through discussions between pairs
  • express themselves in front of a benevolent plenum
  • improve communication skills

Furthermore, students will

• have a good basic knowledge of neuroanatomy and know the key structures of the brain involved in perception, attention, memory, language, executive, social and emotional function.
• know how perceptual and cognitive processes are grounded in the brain, both in terms of anatomy and timing.
• understand key studies and know researchers in the domain of cognitive neuroscience.
• meet and interact with students from the respective other language section they might never have met.
• gain confidence in and lose fear about interacting in a language that might most likely not be their mother tongue.

Evaluation

The class and the textbook(s) overlap for the most part; in some session, I provide more in-depth material like e.g. in the session on electrophysiology. In the end of the class, there will be a “written” (multiple-choice questionnaire) exam which will take place on site on moodle. That exam will cover the contents of the chapters from the mandatory literature (Ward, Student’s Guide to Cognitive Neuroscience) on the topics chosen.

The exam will comprise the levels Knowledge, Comprehension and Application according to Bloom’s Taxonomy, and EACH topic will be examined on ALL three levels.

Your presence is not mandatory to pass the exam; you can also pass the exam without coming to class if you diligently prepare the book chapters and lecture slides; however, attending class will help you to tackle the topics actively which greatly favors learning.

Communication: moodle

For all questions concerning the contents of the class, please use the “Questions about class” forum on moodle; for class-specific contents. This allows all students to have access to the questions and the answer. For any personal concerns, please write me a message on moodle. I have set up an email filter that automatically student email via moodle to a separate inbox.

Techniquette

This class requires students to be fully attentive and to actively participate in class. You will learn how you can take efficient hand-written notes, thus you do not need to use your computer and certainly not your cell phone in class.

And finally

You can expect me to

• start and finish class on time

• leave my phone switched off

• prepare each class with care

I hence expect you to

• come on time and stay until the end
• switch your phone off
• respect my work and pay attention

Literature:

Mandatory textbook: Ward J. (2025). The Student’s Guide to Cognitive Neuroscience. Psychology Press, 5th edition

Optional textbook: Ivry, Gazzaniga, Mangun (2014). Cognitive Neuroscience. The biology of the mind. Norton, 4th edition (International Student Edition)

You can find one copy of each book in the library (Seminarapparat / Appareil de Séminaire of this class)

Copies of lecture slides are on moodle. Inscribe on moodle to download.

Examen écrit

Examen écrit

Examen écrit

Examen écrit