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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014 -
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Sociology

Undergraduate Course: Cognition and its Social Embedding (SCIL10038)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Social and Political Science CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaSociology Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionCognitive 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.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should have at least 3 Sociology courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
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.
Assessment Information
A combination of coursework and/or exams with details to be specified by Course Organiser at first class
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiser Course secretaryMs Sue Renton
Tel: (0131 6)50 6958
Email: Sue.Renton@ed.ac.uk
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