Subject: COGS
Term: Fall 2026
COGS 101: Introduction to Cognitive Science (100/5435)
TR 01:00-02:15 PM Aug 24-Dec 04
Parrill, F
This course introduces students to the field of cognitive science. Cognitive scientists are interested in how humans think. This huge question has been addressed by many academic fields, including computer science, neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, and philosophy. Cognitive science tries to unite these different fields. In this course, you'll get an introduction to topics that are central to the study of human cognition, such as memory, categorization, language, the anatomy and functioning of the brain, artificial intelligence and problem solving.
COGS 201: Human Cognition in Evolution and Development (100/5436)
MW 12:35-01:50 PM Aug 24-Dec 04
Oakley, T
COGS 201 covers mind unfolding in time, including the fundamental methods, findings, and theories of human mental phylo- and onto-genesis. It provides the student with background knowledge about the unfolding of cognitive structures and functions over time, in both the deep temporal perspective of evolution (measured across many lifetimes) and the shorter one of development (measured within single lifetimes). The approach of the course is cross-disciplinary, including approaches that come from anthropology, archaeology, philosophy, computing science, comparative psychology, primatology, and comparative linguistics, among others.
COGS 215: Words and Mind (100/14272)
TR 02:45-04:00 PM Aug 24-Dec 04
Tobin, V
There is something fascinating and special about words. They are the aspect of language that everyone knows about and pays attention to--and every academic discipline with an interest in language has something to say about them! The sheer number of words known by every speaker of any human language is quite vast (and the exact number is a mystery). In this class we will learn about words in all their aspects, and see what the wide weirdness of words can help us understand about the human mind. Subjects covered include the question of what makes a word (is "ouch" a word? "ain't"?); word origins; taboo words; words and memory; word boundaries; and word games, puns, and puzzles.
COGS 251: Cognition and Immersion: From Gaming to AR/VR (100/14359)
TR 06:00-07:15 PM Aug 24-Dec 04
Bendis, J
Since the dawn of civilization, people have used tools and technologies to manipulate their senses, crafting experiences (perceived by the brain as real) to inform, amuse, educate and entertain. From board games to video games, from Virtual Reality to Augmented Reality and emerging innovations in Artificial Intelligence, one shared thread is immersion. This course aims to provide a critical vocabulary and historical context for immersion and immersive experiences by exploring the cognitive operations that underlie this phenomenon. Using tools and theories from neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, computer science, anthropology, narratology, education, and others, we'll examine how brain, mind, and body give rise to the experience of immersion in various platforms (gaming, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Haptics, Immersive Audio, immersive fiction and others). We'll also consider how these tools and experiences can shape and are shaped by human difference and commonality. Immersion is experienced in different ways by different people. These tools have the potential to expand our understanding of human difference and commonality, and also to both reduce and amplify disparate treatment of different peoples. This is a communication intensive course. Students will use writing and oral/multimodal communication to explore immersion and build communication skills. The course has a significant focus on refining writing processes and composing research-based arguments, fostered through writing and communication instruction.
COGS 306: Theory of Cognitive Linguistics I (100/5785)
TR 01:00-02:15 PM Aug 24-Dec 04
Tobin, V
This course will introduce you to theories and methods that have been developed in cognitive linguistics and usage-based linguistics for the study of grammar, semantics, and their relations to cognition. Through a combination of readings, discussion, and hands-on exploration of puzzling data and problem sets, you will get a solid foundation in the foundational concepts and methodologies of cognitive/usage-based linguistics, and learn how to use cognitive linguistic principles and concepts to analyze new data and examples.
Offered as COGS 306 and COGS 406.
COGS 331: Introduction to Applied Linguistics (100/6772)
TR 11:30-12:45 PM Aug 24-Dec 04
Shirai, Y
This course provides students with answers to the question, "Linguistics? What can you do with that?" We will survey the ways that linguistics has been used (i.e. applied) to solve 'real world' problems. Some of these, like computational linguistics and the teaching of language, are intimately involved in language, even though they do not necessarily concern themselves with linguistic theory. Others, such as language and the law, use linguistics as a tool to do their work. We will be concerned with understanding the various ways that linguistic inquiries have been used or neglected, and also with the implications of applied fields for linguistic theories.
Offered as LING 309, LING 409, COGS 331 and COGS 431.
COGS 335: Japanese Linguistics (100/13873)
TR 10:00-11:15 AM Aug 24-Dec 04
Shirai, Y
The purpose of this course is to survey the principal research in Japanese linguistics for students who have basic knowledge of Japanese and are interested in more in-depth treatment of linguistic phenomena (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, etc.). Lectures and discussions will cover many different aspects of the Japanese language. There is a great deal of analytic studies of the Japanese language done both inside and outside Japan, which will be surveyed in this course. Students will become familiar with the major issues through lectures and class discussions, as well as through their reading of both primary and secondary sources. Both formal and functional approaches to the analysis of Japanese will be examined, and the acquisition of these structures will also be discussed. The course will also be useful for the improvement of students' Japanese language proficiency. Recommended preparation: JAPN 101 and JAPN 102, or equivalent competence in Japanese.
Offered as COGS 335, COGS 435, JAPN 435, LING 335 and LING 435.
COGS 377: Ecopsychology: Reconnecting Mind, Body, Community (100/6649)
W 02:05-04:35 PM Aug 24-Dec 04
McKim, A
Evidence from psychology, biology, ecology, and other disciplines converges around the finding that humans need a close connection to the natural world in order to be psychologically healthy. This course introduces students to a branch of psychology that considers the mind to be fundamentally connected to the planet on which it evolved and exists, Ecopsychology. Ecopsychology's goal is to support the pursuit of ecological justice by transforming people's psychological orientations toward the natural world and the ecological crisis. In this class, we'll consider the relationship between the mechanistic thinking of mainstream cognitive science and historical and ongoing environmental and racial injustice. We'll consider the consequences of disconnection from our planet for our physical, mental, and social health. You will read, write, reflect, and get to know places and people in our community. These class activities will 1) allow you to develop and apply wellness-related knowledge in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle and improved quality of life for yourself and your community, 2) develop civic and societal responsibility and a deeper understanding of communities in Cleveland. Some classes are held outside and off campus.
Offered as COGS 377 and COGS 477 and HUMN 377 and HUMN 477.
COGS 390: Signs and Symbols: Semiotics in Cognition, Culture, and Communication (100/13725)
MW 03:10-04:25 PM Aug 24-Dec 04
Oakley, T
What is "semiotics"? Greek for "sign," it is the study of meaning as conveyed through types of signs: symbols, pictures, pointing gestures, writing systems, etc. -- anything used to construct and communicate meaningful thought and action. The cognitive sciences invariably deal with human meaning-making, and thus, "doing" cognitive science is also a form of "doing" semiotics. The same holds for just about all the social sciences and humanities, and some would argue that all forms of knowledge generation are semiotic. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the systematic study of signals, signs, and sign systems that give rise to meaning. Students will become familiar with theories and methods in semiotics, learning about sign types and their interactions, as well as competing theories and methods.
Offered as COGS 390 and COGS 490.
COGS 397: Capstone in Cognitive Science (100/6733)
Parrill, F
Supervised original research on a topic in cognitive science, culminating in a public presentation and a polished, substantial final capstone paper. The research may be in the form of an independent research project, a literature review, or some other form approved by the department. Students work independently in consultation with their faculty supervisor, who will provide guidance and regularly review their progress.
COGS 397: Capstone in Cognitive Science (101/6734)
Turner, M
Supervised original research on a topic in cognitive science, culminating in a public presentation and a polished, substantial final capstone paper. The research may be in the form of an independent research project, a literature review, or some other form approved by the department. Students work independently in consultation with their faculty supervisor, who will provide guidance and regularly review their progress.
COGS 397: Capstone in Cognitive Science (102/6735)
Tobin, V
Supervised original research on a topic in cognitive science, culminating in a public presentation and a polished, substantial final capstone paper. The research may be in the form of an independent research project, a literature review, or some other form approved by the department. Students work independently in consultation with their faculty supervisor, who will provide guidance and regularly review their progress.
COGS 397: Capstone in Cognitive Science (103/6736)
Oakley, T
Supervised original research on a topic in cognitive science, culminating in a public presentation and a polished, substantial final capstone paper. The research may be in the form of an independent research project, a literature review, or some other form approved by the department. Students work independently in consultation with their faculty supervisor, who will provide guidance and regularly review their progress.
COGS 399: Independent Studies in Cognitive Science (101/1431)
Parrill, F
Meeting time and location to be scheduled as needed.
COGS 399: Independent Studies in Cognitive Science (100/5059)
Oakley, T
Meeting time and location to be scheduled as needed.
COGS 399: Independent Studies in Cognitive Science (102/5306)
Tobin, V
Meeting time and location to be scheduled as needed.
COGS 399: Independent Studies in Cognitive Science (103/6476)
Turner, M
This course is for students with special interests and commitments that are not fully addressed in regular courses, and who wish to work independently.
COGS 399H: Honors Independent Study (100/14356)
Parrill, F
Students propose topics for independent reading and research, and produce a written product. COGS 399H is distinct from COGS 399 in that students are expected to do more advanced, intensive work. Only students with a serious interest in research in cognitive science should consider this course. The course also provides an introduction to disciplinary forms of communication, a focus on discipline-specific skills/genres and entering disciplinary conversations. The course involves intentional writing/communication instruction.
COGS 399H: Honors Independent Study (103/14363)
Turner, M
Students propose topics for independent reading and research, and produce a written product. COGS 399H is distinct from COGS 399 in that students are expected to do more advanced, intensive work. Only students with a serious interest in research in cognitive science should consider this course. The course also provides an introduction to disciplinary forms of communication, a focus on discipline-specific skills/genres and entering disciplinary conversations. The course involves intentional writing/communication instruction.
COGS 406: Theory of Cognitive Linguistics I (100/5814)
TR 01:00-02:15 PM Aug 24-Dec 04
Tobin, V
This course will introduce you to theories and methods that have been developed in cognitive linguistics and usage-based linguistics for the study of grammar, semantics, and their relations to cognition. Through a combination of readings, discussion, and hands-on exploration of puzzling data and problem sets, you will get a solid foundation in the foundational concepts and methodologies of cognitive/usage-based linguistics, and learn how to use cognitive linguistic principles and concepts to analyze new data and examples.
Offered as COGS 306 and COGS 406.
COGS 431: Introduction to Applied Linguistics (100/6773)
TR 11:30-12:45 PM Aug 24-Dec 04
Shirai, Y
This course provides students with answers to the question, "Linguistics? What can you do with that?" We will survey the ways that linguistics has been used (i.e. applied) to solve 'real world' problems. Some of these, like computational linguistics and the teaching of language, are intimately involved in language, even though they do not necessarily concern themselves with linguistic theory. Others, such as language and the law, use linguistics as a tool to do their work. We will be concerned with understanding the various ways that linguistic inquiries have been used or neglected, and also with the implications of applied fields for linguistic theories.
Offered as LING 309, LING 409, COGS 331 and COGS 431.
COGS 435: Japanese Linguistics (100/13875)
TR 10:00-11:15 AM Aug 24-Dec 04
Shirai, Y
The purpose of this course is to survey the principal research in Japanese linguistics for students who have basic knowledge of Japanese and are interested in more in-depth treatment of linguistic phenomena (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, etc.). Lectures and discussions will cover many different aspects of the Japanese language. There is a great deal of analytic studies of the Japanese language done both inside and outside Japan, which will be surveyed in this course. Students will become familiar with the major issues through lectures and class discussions, as well as through their reading of both primary and secondary sources. Both formal and functional approaches to the analysis of Japanese will be examined, and the acquisition of these structures will also be discussed. The course will also be useful for the improvement of students' Japanese language proficiency. Recommended preparation: JAPN 101 and JAPN 102, or equivalent competence in Japanese.
Offered as COGS 335, COGS 435, JAPN 435, LING 335 and LING 435.
COGS 477: Ecopsychology: Reconnecting Mind, Body, Community (100/6707)
W 02:05-04:35 PM Aug 24-Dec 04
McKim, A
Evidence from psychology, biology, ecology, and other disciplines converges around the finding that humans need a close connection to the natural world in order to be psychologically healthy. This course introduces students to a branch of psychology that considers the mind to be fundamentally connected to the planet on which it evolved and exists, Ecopsychology. Ecopsychology's goal is to support the pursuit of ecological justice by transforming people's psychological orientations toward the natural world and the ecological crisis. In this class, we'll consider the relationship between the mechanistic thinking of mainstream cognitive science and historical and ongoing environmental and racial injustice. We'll consider the consequences of disconnection from our planet for our physical, mental, and social health. You will read, write, reflect, and get to know places and people in our community. These class activities will 1) allow you to develop and apply wellness-related knowledge in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle and improved quality of life for yourself and your community, 2) develop civic and societal responsibility and a deeper understanding of communities in Cleveland. Some classes are held outside and off campus.
Offered as COGS 377 and COGS 477 and HUMN 377 and HUMN 477.
COGS 490: Signs and Symbols: Semiotics in Cognition, Culture, and Communication (100/13726)
MW 03:10-04:25 PM Aug 24-Dec 04
Oakley, T
What is "semiotics"? Greek for "sign," it is the study of meaning as conveyed through types of signs: symbols, pictures, pointing gestures, writing systems, etc. -- anything used to construct and communicate meaningful thought and action. The cognitive sciences invariably deal with human meaning-making, and thus, "doing" cognitive science is also a form of "doing" semiotics. The same holds for just about all the social sciences and humanities, and some would argue that all forms of knowledge generation are semiotic. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the systematic study of signals, signs, and sign systems that give rise to meaning. Students will become familiar with theories and methods in semiotics, learning about sign types and their interactions, as well as competing theories and methods.
Offered as COGS 390 and COGS 490.
COGS 499: Independent Studies (100/1484)
Oakley, T
This course is a face-to-face seminar between students and instructor, aiming at letting and helping the students independently develop original research on well-defined topics in the field of cognitive linguistics. Themes can vary within the wide area of cognition and culture.
COGS 499: Independent Studies (101/1485)
Parrill, F
This course is a face-to-face seminar between students and instructor, aiming at letting and helping the students independently develop original research on well-defined topics in the field of cognitive linguistics. Themes can vary within the wide area of cognition and culture.
COGS 499: Independent Studies (102/5120)
Tobin, V
This course is a face-to-face seminar between students and instructor, aiming at letting and helping the students independently develop original research on well-defined topics in the field of cognitive linguistics. Themes can vary within the wide area of cognition and culture.
COGS 499: Independent Studies (103/6708)
Turner, M
This course is a face-to-face seminar between students and instructor, aiming at letting and helping the students independently develop original research on well-defined topics in the field of cognitive linguistics. Themes can vary within the wide area of cognition and culture.
COGS 651: Thesis M.A. (101/4787)
Oakley, T
Conduct independent research and writing in Cognitive Linguistics under the guidance of a faculty adviser from Cognitive Science. The precise requirements of the course are to be determined by the faculty advisor.
COGS 651: Thesis M.A. (102/4788)
Parrill, F
Conduct independent research and writing in Cognitive Linguistics under the guidance of a faculty adviser from Cognitive Science. The precise requirements of the course are to be determined by the faculty advisor.
COGS 651: Thesis M.A. (100/5191)
Tobin, V
Conduct independent research and writing in Cognitive Linguistics under the guidance of a faculty adviser from Cognitive Science. The precise requirements of the course are to be determined by the faculty advisor.
COGS 651: Thesis M.A. (103/13886)
Turner, M
Conduct independent research and writing in Cognitive Linguistics under the guidance of a faculty adviser from Cognitive Science. The precise requirements of the course are to be determined by the faculty advisor.