? Credit Points : 20  ? SCQF Level : 10  ? Acronym : SPS-3-SYCSE

Cognitive science understands human communication, reasoning, learning etc. in terms of computations over systems of representation - natural languages, diagrams etc. But communication, reasoning, and learning are essentially social processes. It is sometimes argued that all accounts of the essentially social nature of cognitive processes are incompatible with computational accounts of cognition. This course is about exploring the supposed incompatibilities.

Formal theories (logic, computation, statistics, rational choice theory) figure in social science both as theorists' analyses of 'natural' phenomena (the system-as-nature stance) and as technologies used by participants in their reasoning (the system-as-technology stance). The interplay can enrich our ideas of computation and perhaps reconcile approaches.

The course will not assume any background in psychology, cognitive science, logic or computer science, but will assume a willingness to learn enough of the fundamental concepts of these subjects for a sociological appraisal of their aims and methods, strengths and shortcomings. The course will be heavily dependent on students' own sociological contributions.

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Home subject area

Sociology, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date Start End Room Area Additional Information 08/01/2008 09:00 10:50 Room 4.18, David Hume Tower Central

All of the following classes

Type Day Start End Area Lecture Tuesday 09:00 10:50 Central

? Additional Class Information : 2nd Semester

Cognitive science understands human communication, reasoning, learning etc. in terms of computations over systems of representation - natural languages, diagrams etc. But communication, reasoning, and learning are essentially social processes. It is sometimes argued that all accounts of the essentially social nature of cognitive processes are incompatible with computational accounts of cognition. This course is about exploring the supposed incompatibilities.

Formal theories (logic, computation, statistics, rational choice theory) figure in social science both as theorists' analyses of 'natural' phenomena (the system-as-nature stance) and as technologies used by participants in their reasoning (the system-as-technology stance). The interplay can enrich our ideas of computation and perhaps reconcile approaches.

The course will not assume any background in psychology, cognitive science, logic or computer science, but will assume a willingness to learn enough of the fundamental concepts of these subjects for a sociological appraisal of their aims and methods, strengths and shortcomings. The course will be heavily dependent on students' own sociological contributions.

A combination of coursework and/or exams with details to be specified by Course Organiser at first class

Exam times

Diet Diet Month Paper Code Paper Name Length 1ST May 1 - 2 hour(s)

The Course Secretary should be the first point of contact for all enquiries.

Course Secretary

Ms Sue Renton
Tel : (0131 6)50 6958
Email : Sue.Renton@ed.ac.uk

Course Organiser

Prof Keith Stenning
Tel : (0131 6)50 4444
Email : K.Stenning@ed.ac.uk

School Website : http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/

College Website : http://www.hss.ed.ac.uk/