Cognitive models are, essentially, theories of cognitive activity (decision-making, belief formation, perception, learning, etc.) implemented in computer simulations. Theories aim at explaining the cognitive activity that generated the data collected. Models are thereby constructed and developed to test these theories. In this course we will enquiry cognitive models from three philosophical fronts: representation & explanation, realism vs instrumentalism, and feminist philosophy of science. What ontological claims about cognition can reasonably be made on the basis of a model? Does a model accurately represent the cognitive phenomenon under study? If it does not, what kinds of things are cognitive models and how do they have explanatory virtue? Do properties of the model exist beyond the model itself or are they useful constructs that enable cognitive patterns to be predicted? Cognitive models, as tools to test theories, leverage modellers’ assumptions. Is model-based reasoning affected by cognitive biases? If so, how to overcome them? By the end of the course students are expected to be equipped to critically think the ontology and epistemology of scientific models specifically in the context of computational models of cognitive behaviour. Classes will be conducted as interactive lecture/discussions.
External master students (i.e. master students of other programs of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, master students of other universities in Berlin or Brandenburg, or people not enrolled at a university in Berlin or Brandenburg at all) may acquire credits in the “Mind and Brain” Master's program only in the following way:
Attendance of seminars as part of the module "Focus Theme Mind and Brain": 10 ECTS Requirements: Two seminars must be regularly attended and presentations made (or other course requirements fulfilled) + a 20-page paper must be written (1 page = 2,000 characters without spaces) in one of the two seminars. The two seminars do not have to be attended in the same semester.
Credits from the "Mind and Brain" program cannot be acquired in any other way!
Please note that attendance certificates or credits for other course requirements fulfilled will not be awarded, in particular credits/certificates for attendance of single seminars and/or shorter papers will not be awarded. Seminars in our program must be attended as part of a module, which means that two seminars related to a module must be attended.
Please be aware that you may not combine a lecture/tutorial and a seminar in a module.
Master students of Humboldt-Universität have to register for the exams online in Agnes. Master students of other universities have to contact the "Mind and Brain" master registrar's office (Prüfungsbüro) to register: mb-admin@hu-berlin.de
The registration period is 4 weeks long and ends 1 week prior to the exam date / paper deadline.
NB: Bachelor students cannot acquire credits in the Master’s program “Mind and Brain”.
Students who are not enrolled at the Humboldt-Universität may attend the courses mentioned above as a visiting student (Nebenhörer). Those who are not enrolled at a university in Berlin or Brandenburg at all may also attend the courses mentioned above as guest auditors (Gasthörer). For more details, please visit: https://www.hu-berlin.de/de/studium/beratung/merk/gastneben_html
