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Biology 5141 3.0: Brain and Behaviour: Cognitive Systems


Course Description

This course examines cognitive systems that guide our awareness, behaviour, and mental capacity. Major emphasis is placed on attentional systems and the study of consciousness.

This course provides an in depth examination of the cognitive systems that guide our awareness, behaviour and mental capacity. This is done through classic and recent research papers. The two areas of major emphasis are attentional systems and the study of consciousness. Topics in attentional systems include psychophysical studies, neurological disorders, and neurophysiological studies, for spatial attention, feature-based attention, and object-based attention. Topics in the study of consciousness include what is conscious awareness, blindsight, false memories/reality monitoring, and possible neural mechanisms.

Course Director:
Dr. Mazyar Fallah

326 Bethune College
Tel: 416-736-2100 ext: 20555
e–mail: mfallah@yorku.ca

Evaluation:
Grades will be determined on the basis of two assignments and class participation. The first assignment involves leading a seminar on one of the topics. The student will be responsible for presenting an overview of the topic including a review of theoretical developments and recent empirical literature, and leading the class in discussion. The second assignment is a term paper on a topic of the student’s choice related to material covered in the course. The paper is to be on a topic unrelated to their class presentation. The paper should be 15 double-spaced pages, excluding references. The paper should conform to APA style.
40% – Class Presentation
50% – Term Paper
10% – Class Participation

Bibliography: 

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Cross-Listed


with KAHS 6153 3.0 and PSY 6278 3.0) Host Program: Kinesiology

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