Psychology 213 -- Cognition When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1.

05pm -- 2:25pm Where: Leacock Building, Room 132

COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: Office: Phone: Email: Office Hours: Prof Jelena Ristic N7/13 Stewart Biology Building 514 398 2091 jelena.ristic@mcgill.ca Fridays 9.30 -10.30a or by email appointment

Teaching Assistants (All Offices in Stewart Biology Building) Name Dana Hayward Caitlin Mouri Sarny Balegh Email dana.hayward@mail.mcgill.ca caitlin.mouri@mail.mcgill.ca saharnaz.balegh@mail.mcgill.ca Office N7/2 N7/35 S3/32 Office Hours Thurs 9-10am Tue 9-10am Weds 1-2pm

Course Description: This course is designed to provide you with a broad introduction to the study of human cognition and its basic processes including perception, attention, memory, language, and intelligence. The course will be centered on understanding the links between the human behavior and underlying brain mechanisms and will draw from the findings obtained by interdisciplinary research methodologies that include behavioral studies of human performance, studies of healthy and injured brain function, as well as animal investigations. Prerequisites: One previous course in Psychology. Elementary knowledge of general psychological concepts is necessary for the successful mastery of this material.

Required Text
Benjafield, J.G., Smilek, D., & Kingstone, A. (2010). Cognition. Fourth Edition: Oxford University Press Canada. ISBN: 978-0-19-543032-5. Online study guide (including example questions):
http://www.oupcanada.com/higher_education/companion/psychology/9780195430325/student_resources.html

Or go to: http://www.oupcanada.com/higher_education/companion/psychology/9780195430325.html and click on Student Resources.

WebCT Content
Weekly Chat with TAs. Every week the course TAs will be available for chat. Chats will be held Mondays 910.30pm and Thursdays 4.00-5.30pm. Learning Modules. Learning modules are designed to provide you with an overview of the material covered in text and in class, and will include topic summaries, worksheets, and example exam questions. Learning modules are optional and are not graded. Six learning modules will be made available.
A note about WebCT. WebCT is intended for students to discuss class-related material. Students are expected to adhere to the proper conduct policies and to communicate with other students, teaching assistants, and the instructor with respect. Discussion boards will be regularly monitored. Instances of misconduct will not be tolerated and may result in closure of any or all of the WebCT content.

Course Policies
Students are responsible for all material covered in lectures and in assigned readings. The class will be taught in lecture format. Classes will be recorded. Lecture notes will be posted on WebCT. A 1.5 hour review session will be held before each midterm and on the last day of classes (for the final).

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Evaluation
Midterm Exams (best 1 of 2 exams) Final Exam Subject Pool Participation (optional) Total 35% 65% 2% 102%

1. Midterm Exams (35%). Two midterm exams will be given. The material covered on each midterm will not be cumulative. Each exam will consist of multiple choice questions. Example questions will be discussed in class. Midterm exam is worth 35% of your grade. The total midterm portion of your grade will be the better of the two scores on the midterm exams. If you miss both midterm exams, your final grade will reflect your score on the final exam. I strongly encourage students to write both midterm exams. These exams are designed to encourage you to stay up to date with the required readings and to assist you in monitoring your understanding of the material. 2. Final Exam (65%). Final exam will be scheduled by the University during the April exam period. The final exam will be worth 65% of your final grade. The final exam will be cumulative and it will include material from all lectures and assigned readings. If you miss the final exam for a valid and officially documented reason, you must receive permission to apply for a deferred exam (held in August). Permission is granted only by the Associate Dean (Student Affairs) of your faculty. Otherwise you will receive the standing J for this course. 3. Subject Pool Participation (2%). You will be able to earn up to additional 2% of your grade by participating in psychology experiments through the Department of Psychology Participant Pool. To receive the extra credits, you must participate in up to 2 hours of experiments (two 1 hour experiments, or four 30 minute experiments). If you prefer, you can submit 2 written reports based on journal articles provided by the administrator of the Participant Pool instead. The subject pool TA will provide all the details about receiving extra credit. All inquiries about the participant pool and extra credits credit will be dealt with through the Subject Pool TA, Irina Pivneva, at mcgill_subject_pool@yahoo.com. Final Grade. Your final grade will reflect either (1) an average of your grade on the midterm and the final exam; or (2) your grade on the final exam, whichever is the highest. Extra credit will be added on top. Only final grade will be rounded up according to scientific convention (e.g., 84.4=84%; 84.5=85%). Final letter grades will be assigned according to the following scheme: A AB+ B BC+ 100-85 84-80 79-75 74-70 69-65 64-60

C 59-55

D 55-50

F 49-0

University Policies
Plagiarism and Cheating: McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore, all students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures. See www.mcgill.ca/integrity for more information. Every student registered in this course is obliged to read the statement about academic integrity, and we will assume that you have done so. Grading of Written Work: In accord with McGill Universitys Charter of Students Rights, students in this course have the right to submit their written work that is to be graded in either English or French. Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability, please contact the Office for Students with Disabilities at 514-398-6009. All accommodations and provisions for the course evaluations and exams are to be handled directly through the Office for Students with Disabilities. Additional policies governing academic issues which affect students can be found in the McGill Charter of Students' Rights (available as a PDF on www.mcgill.ca/files/secretariat/Student-Handbook-2009-English.pdf). Disclaimer: In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the Instructors control, the content and/or evaluation scheme in this course is subject to change. Should this occur you will be notified in due time.

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Lecture Topics and Class Schedule

Week 1 Jan 10 2012First Class, No assigned readings Jan 12 2012Introduction; Readings: Benjafield, Chapter 1 Week 2 Jan 17 2012Cognitive Neuroscience, Readings: Benjafield, Chapter 2 Jan 19 2012Perception, Readings: Benjafield, Chapter 3 Week 3 (Optional Learning Module 1 Posted on WebCT) Jan 24 2012Perception Continued Jan 26 2012Attention, Readings: Benjafield, Chapter 4 Week 4 Jan 31 2012Attention Continued Feb 02 2012Memory (Traces & Schemas), Readings: Benjafiled, Chapter 5 Week 5 (Optional Learning Module 2 Posted on WebCT) Feb 07 2012Memory (Traces & Schemas) Continued & Memory Systems, Readings: Chapter 6 Feb 09 2012Memory Systems Continued *Week 6 (Optional Learning Module 3 Posted on WebCT) Feb 14 2012Midterm 1 Review Session Feb 16 2012MIDTERM 1 (CHAPTERS 1-6 + Class Material)Held in Class Week 7 -- Happy Reading Week! Week 8 Feb 28 2012Language, Readings: Benjafield, Chapter 9. Guest lecture. Mar 01 2012 Imagery, Readings: Benjafield, Chapter 7 Week 9 (Optional Learning Module 4 Posted on WebCT) Mar 06 2012Problem Solving, Readings: Benjafield, Chapter 10 Mar 08 2012Reasoning, Readings: Benjafield, Chapter 11 Week 10 Mar 13 2012Reasoning Continued Mar 15 2012Intelligence & Creativity, Readings: Benjafield, Chapter 12 Week 11 (Optional Learning Module 5 Posted on WebCT) Mar 20 2012Intelligence & Creativity Continued Mar 22 2012Midterm 2 Review Session *Week 12 Mar 27 2012MIDTERM 2 (CHAPTERS 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 +Class Material)Held in Class Mar 29 2012Applied Cognition, Readings: Benjafield, Chapter 14 Week 13 Apr 03 2012Social Cognition, Reading: Adolps, R. (1999), posted on WebCT Apr 05 2012Social Cognition Continued Week 14 (Optional Learning Module 6 Posted on WebCT) Apr 10 2012Student Chosen Topics, TBA Apr 12 2012Review of class material for the final exam