Courses Offered
Scientific and Philosophical Studies of Mind
A list of regularly offered courses follows. The indication of when a course will be offered is based on the best projection of the department and can be subject to change.
Please note the key for the following abbreviations: (A) Arts; (H) Humanities; (S) Social Sciences; (N) Natural Sciences with Laboratory; (LS) Language Studies requirement; (NSP) Natural Science in Perspective; (NW) Non-Western Cultures requirement.
Note that courses below marked with an asterisk (*) have pre-requisites that do not count toward the SPM major.
I. CORE
SPM250. Philosophy of Mind. (H) Every Spring
A general introduction to the philosophy of mind, addressing four key philosophical issues: the nature of psychological explanation; the mind-body problem; the possibility of artificial intelligence; and the nature of persons. Prerequisite: one course in philosophy or psychology. Same as PHI 250. Helm
SPM337. Philosophy of Natural Science. (H) (NSP) Every Spring
The goals, methods, assumptions and limitations of natural science. Special attention will be paid to the philosophy of psychology, cognitive science and evolutionary biology. Same as PHI/STS 337. Chemero, Ross
SPM495. Senior Research Seminar. Every Fall
Intensive research and writing on a topic of the student’s choice. Permission of the instructor is required. Chemero Courses not cross-listed with SPM. See department listing for descriptions. Psychology 100. Introductory Psychology. (N) Psychology 230. Experimental Design and Statistics.
I. Areas of Concentration
>
1. Cognitive Science
Sciences
SPM240. Neuroscience. (N) Every Spring
Principles of nervous system function from the molecular through the organ system level as illustrated by the vertebrates and invertebrates. Approximately one half of the course will cover basic cellular principles of nervous system organization, development and physiology. The remaining lectures will consider the role of functionally-identified neural networks in behavior control. Prerequisite: BIO 220 or BFB/PSY 302. Same as BFB/BIO/PSY 240. Cecala
SPM301. Sensation and Perception. Every Spring
Review of phenomena and research on sensory processes and their role in perception. Readings and discussion will examine evidence from behavioral, psychophysical and physiological research and consider implications for explanations arising from the mechanistic, cognitive, computational and naturalistic theoretical perspectives. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or permission. Corequisite: PSY 230 or BIO 210. Same as BFB/PSY 301. Owens
SPM302. Biopsychology. (N) Every Fall
Behavioral and mental processes as viewed from a biological perspective with particular emphasis upon the role of neurochemical and endocrine factors in central nervous system function. Topics covered will include reproduction and gender, chemical senses and ingestion, emotion, learning, sleep and psychopathology. A neuropharmacological approach to the study of the nervous system will be emphasized. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or BIO 110 or permission. Corequisite: PSY 230. Same as BFB/PSY 302. Staff
SPM304. Developmental Psychology. Every Fall
An examination of the relative contributions of nature and nurture on children’s behavioral, cognitive and perceptual development from the prenatal period through adolescence. Topics include the development of language, concepts, intelligence, socialization, motor abilities and emotional understanding, with discussion informed by current and classic primary reading. Research activities and analyses integrated into course work. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or permission. Corequisite: PSY 230 or BIO 210. Same as PSY 304. Clipman
SPM305. Cognitive Psychology. Every Fall
This course provides an overview of human cognitive processes. Topics covered include knowledge acquisition, memory, concept formation, text processing, thinking, problem solving and decision making. We will compare several approaches to the study of cognition and we will examine and evaluate both classic and contemporary theory and research. Research activities and analyses integrated into course work. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or permission. Corequisite: PSY 230 or BIO 210. Same as PSY 305. Staff
SPM306. Evolution of Mind and Intelligence. Spring 2010
What is intelligent behavior, what is it for and how did it evolve? We will attempt to answer these questions and understand the nature and development of Mind from a comparative perspective. We will do so by investigating learning, perception, memory, thinking and language in animals and humans. Research activities and analyses integrated into course work. Prerequisites: One of: PSY 100, PSY 301, PSY 302, PSY 303, PSY 304, PSY 305, BIO 240, BIO 250 or PHI 338, or permission. Corequisite: PSY 230 or BIO 210. Same as BFB/PSY 306. R. Thompson
SPM312. Embodied Cognition. (NSP) Every Spring
In this course we will study intelligence by focusing on perception and action in the environment. To this end, we will focus on ecological psychology, robotics, artificial neural networks and simulated evolution. Although students will be expected to build simple robots and work with computer models, no background knowledge of engineering or computing will be assumed. (Knowledge of programming is not required.) Prerequisite: PSY 100. Same as PSY 312. Chemero
SPM480. Collaborative Research in Comparative Cognition and Behavior. (N) Every Spring
Comparative perspectives and approaches to the study of selected topics drawn from cognitive and developmental psychology, cognitive ethology, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, cognitive science and behavioral primatology. Research required. Prerequisites: PSY 230 or BIO 210, one of PSY 250, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306; or one of BIO 250, 330, 379; or one of BFB 250, 301, 302, 306, 330, 379; or permission of the instructor. Same as BFB/PSY 480. Staff
SPM481. Collaborative Research in Developmental Psychology. (N) Every Spring
An overview of methods for conducting research with children, with an emphasis on ethics of working with child participants. Current empirical and theoretical issues in developmental psychology are addressed through literature review and group research projects. Topics reflecting student interests are considered. Laboratory research required. Prerequisites: PSY 230 or BIO 210; PSY 304, or permission. Same as PSY 481. Casler
SPM483. Collaborative Research in Human Cognition. (N) Every Spring
An in-depth consideration of selected empirical and theoretical issues in cognitive psychology. Emphasis is on recent literature covering basic research in cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience and computational neuroscience modeling, including such topics as attention and resource allocation, representation, concept formation, memory and topics reflecting research interests of participating students. Laboratory research required. Prerequisites: PSY 230 or BIO 210; PSY/SPM 305, or permission. Same as PSY 483. Staff
SPM485. Collaborative Research in Human Perception and Action. (N) Every Fall
Contemporary research and theories of the interrelations of perceptual and motor processes. Content will be drawn from the literatures of experimental psychology, neurophysiology and human factors. Animal models and computational algorithms will be considered when applicable, with primary emphasis on implications for human performance. Laboratory research required. Prerequisites: PSY 230 or BIO 210; PSY 301, or permission. Same as PSY 485. Owens
Courses not cross-listed with SPM. See department listing for descriptions.
BIO 220. Principles of Physiology and Development.*(N)
CPS 210. Intermediate Programming.*
PSY/BFB/BIO 250. Animal Behavior. (N)
PSY/BFB 372. Conditioning and Learning.
PSY 487. Collaborative Research in Biological Psychology. (N)
Humanities
SPM255. Mobile Robotics. (H) Fall 2009
Can we build intelligent machines? We’ll attempt to answer this question by examining both the philosophical and theoretical background of artificial intelligence and research into mobile robotics. We will also build our own robots so as to provide practical experience informing our answers to this philosophical question. Same as PHI 255. Helm
SPM256. Evolutionary Psychology of Religion. (H) (NSP) Fall 2010
Survey of contemporary evolutionary models for the origin and persistence of religious belief and practice. Attention will be given to the epistemological implications for religious belief. The course will consider on adapationist and non-adaptationist models focusing primarily on cognitive theories, group selection, costly-signaling and neurotheology. Same as PHI 256. Murray
SPM355. Possibility of Artificial Intelligence. (H) Spring 2010
A critical analysis of the progress and prospects of attempts to build intelligent machines. Prerequisites: PHI 244 and SPM/PHI 250; or permission of instructor. Same as PHI/PSY 355. Chemero
Courses not cross-listed with SPM. See department listing for description.
LIN 101. Introduction to Linguistics.
PHI 244. Symbolic Logic. (H)
PHI 335. Epistemology. (H)
2. Moral Psychology
Sciences
SPM304. Developmental Psychology. Every Fall
An examination of the relative contributions of nature and nurture on children’s behavioral, cognitive and perceptual development from the prenatal period through adolescence. Topics include the development of language, concepts, intelligence, socialization, motor abilities and emotional understanding, with discussion informed by current and classic primary reading. Research activities and analyses integrated into course work. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or permission. Corequisite: PSY 230 or BIO 210. Same as PSY 304. Clipman
SPM307. Personality Psychology. Every Spring
This course provides an evaluative and comparative overview of major models of personality selected to illustrate psychodynamic, trait, cognitive, humanistic, physiological and learning approaches. The course will emphasize the testability of the models and their connection with current research. Research activities and analyses integrated into course work. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or permission. Corequisite: PSY 230 or BIO 210. Same as PSY 307. J. Campbell
SPM308. Psychopathology. Every Spring
This course will serve as an introduction to descriptive and theoretical approaches to the study of psychopathology. In addition to the study of disease-related processes, special emphasis will be placed upon developing an understanding of those biological, psychological and social conditions that are essential for healthy psychosocial functioning across the life span. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or permission. Same as PSY 308. Penn
SPM309. Social Psychology. Every Spring
This course involves the student in exploration of some of the basic topics in experimental approaches to social psychology, such as cognitive and motivational perspectives on social phenomena, the role of affect and emotion in social action and current uses of the concept of self. Issues explored in this context include self-affirmation processes, regulation of social action and the relationship between affect, cognition and action. Research activities and analyses integrated into course work. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or permission. Corequisite: PSY 230 or BIO 210. Same as PSY 309. Knowles
SPM481. Collaborative Research in Developmental Psychology. (N) Every Spring
An overview of methods for conducting research with children, with an emphasis on ethics of working with child participants. Current empirical and theoretical issues in developmental psychology are addressed through literature review and group research projects. Topics reflecting student interests are considered. Laboratory research required. Prerequisites: PSY 230 or BIO 210; PSY 304, or permission. Same as PSY 481. Casler
SPM489. History and Philosophy of Psychology. (N) Every Fall
The historical origins of contemporary psychology in European philosophy, physiology and biology and subsequent development of the schools of structuralism, functionalism, Gestalt, behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Emphasis on identifying the goals, implicit assumptions and potential contributions of scientific psychology. Prerequisite: Senior psychology major status or permission of instructor. Same as PSY/STS 489. Chemero, Owens
Courses not cross-listed with SPM. See department listing for description.
PSY 482. Collaborative Research in Social Psychology. (N)
PSY 484. Collaborative Research in Personality. (N)
PSY 488. Collaborative Research in Psychopathology. (N)
SOC 220. Social Psychology.*
SOC 301. History of Sociological Theory.*
SOC 320. Criminology.*
SOC 480. Sociology of Law.*
Humanities
331. Free Will. (H) Spring 2011
An examination of contemporary theories concerning the nature of free choice. Special attention is given to the nature of moral responsibility and the relationship between free choice and determinism. Prerequisites: PHI100, or permission of the instructor. Same as PHI 331. Murray
SPM360. Concept of a Person. (H) Fall 2009
A careful examination of what it is to be a person, as an autonomous moral agent whose life can be meaningful and of what distinguishes persons from the “lower” animals. Same as PHI 360. Helm
SPM361. Moral Psychology. (H) Spring 2011
Moral psychology is the study of human moral agency. As such, it is constrained by and must cohere with, the facts about human psychology; but its primary focus is on human good, an evaluative notion. Central questions include: What are reasons and what role do they play in action? What is character and how is it related to virtue? What is free will, can we have it and how do we best explain weakness of the will? Same as PHI 361. Helm
Courses not cross-listed with SPM. See department listing for description.
GOV 241. Classical Political Theory. (H)
GOV 242. Modern Political Theory. (H)
PHI 220. Moral Theory. (H)
PHI 319. 20th-Century Continental Philosophy. (H)
PHI 384. Soul in Search of Selfhood: The Writings of St. Augustine.
III. SPECIAL TOPICS
See program chairperson for information on what major requirements particular special topics offerings satisfy.
170–179, 270–279, 370–379, 470–479. Special Topics in SPM.
SPM490. Independent Study.
Independent study directed by the SPM staff. Permission of the chairperson required.
