COGNITIVE STUDIES
GENERAL INFORMATION
Cognitive studies is a rapidly growing field of study that focuses on the nature and representation of knowledge. It approaches the study of perception, action, language, and thinking from several perspectives -- theoretical, experimental, and computational -- with the aim of gaining a better understanding of human cognition and the nature of intelligent systems. The comparison between human and artificial intelligence is an important theme, as is the nature of mental representations and their acquisition and use. Cognitive studies has drawn primarily from the disciplines of computer science, linguistics, philosophy, and psychology. In the College of Arts and Sciences the field of cognitive studies is primarily represented by faculty in these departments, as well as in mathematics. It is also represented by faculty in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies (College of Human Ecology), in the Section of Neurobiology and Behavior (Division of Biological Sciences), in the Department of Education (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences), and in the Johnson Graduate School of Management.
Undergraduate Programs
An undergraduate concentration in cognitive studies in the College of Arts and Sciences provides a framework for the design of structured, individualized programs of study in this growing interdisciplinary field. Such programs of study are intended to serve as complements to intensive course work in a single discipline as represented in an individual department. For further information on the undergraduate program, see "Cognitive Studies Concentration" in the College of Arts and Sciences section. Contact Sue Wurster: 255-6431 or cogst@cornell.edu.
Graduate Programs
At the graduate level Cornell offers a graduate field minor in cognitive studies. Cornell's unique program of graduate training, which seeks to tailor an optimal program of study and research for each student, fosters interdisciplinary committees. It is the norm for students interested in cognitive studies to combine faculty members from such departments as Philosophy, Computer Science, Modern Languages and Linguistics, or Psychology on common committees. For further information on the graduate Field of Cognitive Studies, contact Barbara Lust, graduate field representative, NG28 Van Rensselaer Hall (telephone: 607/255-0829), or 273A Uris Hall, Office of Cognitive Studies, 255-6431, cogst@cornell.edu.
Courses
Courses from across the university that are relevant to the Cognitive Studies program are listed in this catalog under Arts and Sciences in the section "Special Programs and Interdisciplinary Studies."
