Prospectus

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Introduction to Linguistics and to Neurocognitive Psychology

Course
2018-2019

Entry requirements

Only open to students that are admitted to the Minor Brain and Cognition. During the introduction, only students with a background in sciences (such as Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Bio-pharmaceutical Sciences) have to take this course.
The objective of this first part of the minor is to ensure that students from different backgrounds will have the same level of relevant background knowledge, as far as possible.

Description

This course is a general introduction in cognitive science, focusing on psycho- and neurolinguistics and cognitive psychology. We will discuss the functioning and dysfunctioning of general coginitive abilities, and their neuronal implementation in the brain. Topics that will be treated are perception, attention, memory, action control and language. Basic linguistic concepts will be addressed, as well as language acquisition and language pathology.

Introduction in cognitive psychology (4 classes):
1. Introduction, history and methods (Ghosh)
2. Action Control and Executive functions (Ghosh)
3. Learning and memory (Jepma)
4. Perception and attention (Sjoerds)

Introduction in psycho- en neurolinguistics (4 classes):
1. Introduction to Linguistics (Levelt)
2. Psycho- en neurolinguistic studies on language production (Schiller)
3. Psycho- en neurolinguistic studies on language comprehension (Schiller)
4. Child language acquisition (Levelt)

Course objectives

  • The student will gain knowledge about the basic concepts of cognitive science, more specifically of cognitive psychology and psycho- and neurolinguistics.

  • The student understands the most important research questions in these fields.

  • The student will be able to follow the advanced modules on cognitive psychology and psycho- and neurolinguistics in the minor Brain and Cognition.

Timetable

The timetable for this course will be announced soon.
Always keep an eye on Blackboard and check with your course coordinator for potential changes.

Lectures

The timetable for this course will be announced soon.
Always keep an eye on Blackboard and check with your course coordinator for potential changes.

Exam

Exam date will be announced soon.

Mode of instuction

8 2-hour lectures

Assessment method

Written examination.

Reading list

  • Ward, J., The Student’s Guide to Cognitive Neuroscience. Psychology Press (2015) 3rd Edition

  • PDF links on Blackboard

Contact information

Dr. J. Witteman, J.Witteman@hum.leidenuniv.nl bcminor@fsw.leidenuniv.nl