General Course Information
Title:
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Lab, Action, and Brain
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| Professor: |
Jeremy I. Skipper |
Catalog Number:
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Neuroscience 347 (Psychology 347) |
Dates and Times:
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Fall Semester, 2012
Discussion: T and TR 10:30-11:45 AM
Lab: T or W 1 - 4 PM
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Location:
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Hamilton College
Discussion: Science Center G3039
Lab: Science Center G3028 |
| Office Hours: |
Wednesday: 10:30 - 11:45 PM
Thursday: 2 - 4:00 PM
Other Times By Appointment |
Course Description
Welcome - This course provides a survey of the current research pertaining to the organization of... wait for it... language, action, and the brain.
Learning Objectives - Discuss the evolutionary pressures on the brain that contributed to behavior and vice versa
- Discuss and critically evaluate important cognitive neuroscience principles, models, and theories
- Discuss and use cognitive neuroscience methods to study behavior and understand the limitations of these methods
- Discuss and conduct cognitive neuroscience research with the goal of critical evaluation
- Understand the structure and function of brain and body systems supporting behavior
In acquiring these learning objectives you will broaden your understanding of human brain function beyond basic motor, perceptual, and cognitive processes. Furthermore, you will have learned a set of analytic skills that can be applied to your thinking about psychology and neuroscience research (and its presence in the popular media) more generally.
BE FOREWARNED: THIS LAB COURSE IS DIFFICULT AND WILL REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL OF WORK (682+ PAGES OF READING, 3 Exams, 1 Paper, 2 Presentations, 3 Lab Practicals). Keep up and ASK ME if you need help.
Explanation of the Discussion Format. You will achieve these learning objectives by actively discussing contemporary cognitive neuroscience in all of its gory detail (see the Schedule). The course abides by the philosophy that we learn by doing. Well, it is not really philosophy because empirical research demonstrates that actively learned material is better understood, recalled, and, wait for it..., enjoyed. The discussion format of this course promotes active learning (in contrast to, e.g., lecturing alone) by:  - Engaging you more in the material and learning process.
- Allowing you to get immediate feedback about your ideas from myself and your peers.
- Allowing you to better develop thinking skills like analysis, problem solving, and evaluation.
- Giving me information about what you understand so that I cantailor your learning experience by providing appropriate information and feedback.
- Because it is easier to generate, ask, and answer questions in a group than if you were just asking me (or nobody).
- Because it is more fun.
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Laboratory Exercises. Another way you will be actively learning is through the use of modern imaging techniques. Laboratory exercises will provide experience with neuroanatomy and neuroimaging ( fMRI and EEG).
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