Two students look at a computer monitor in the perception lab.

Cognitive Science examines different approaches to questions concerning:

  • The nature of mind
  • The representation of knowledge
  • The acquisition, comprehension, and production of language
  • The development of learning and intelligence
  • The use of information to draw inferences and make decisions
  • The assessment of “goodness of fit” between purportedly similar systems (e.g., the computer and the mind).

Two students look at a computer monitor in the perception lab.

About Cognitive Science

Cognitive Science examines different approaches to questions concerning the nature of mind, the representation of knowledge, the acquisition, comprehension, and production of language, the development of learning and intelligence, the use of information to draw inferences and make decisions, and the assessment of “goodness of fit” between purportedly similar systems (e.g., the computer and the mind). Exploration of some or all of these questions has been and is being undertaken in such disciplines as cognitive psychology, linguistics, philosophy, artificial intelligence, neuroscience, robotics, social cognition, behavioral economics, anthropology, education, and others.

The major and minor in Cognitive Science therefore represent a formal means of bringing together students and faculty in different disciplines who share common interests. We seek to enrich the view provided by any one discipline through an exploration of the methodologies of others. The minor is designed for students majoring in psychology, philosophy, computer science, or linguistics, although all students are welcome.

Requirements for the Cognitive Science Major

Major Requirements – 70 Total Credits

Core Courses – Required 34 credits

  • CGSC 130 (6 credits)
  • LING 115: Introduction to the Theory of Syntax (6 credits)
  • PSYC 200: Measurement and Data Analysis in Psychology (6 credits)
    AND PSYC 201: Measurement and Data Analysis Lab (2 credits)
  • CGSC/PSYC 232: Cognitive Processes (6 credits)
    AND CGSC/PSYC 233: Laboratory in Cognitive Processes (2 credits)
  • CS 111: Introduction to Computer Science (6 credits)
    OR PHIL 210: Logic (6 credits)

Elective Courses – Required 24 credits

At least two must be a 300-level course. To ensure sufficient interdisciplinarity, no more than four courses may be taken from any one department or program.

  • BIOL 365: Seminar: Topics in Neuroscience
  • BIOL 368: Seminar: Developmental Neurobiology (not offered 2025-26)
  • CGSC 100.01: Cognitive Development in Childhood (25/FA)
  • CGSC 100.02: Living with Artificial Intelligence (25/FA)
  • CGSC 207: Japanese Philosophy: No Mind, No Life (not offered 2025-26)
  • CGSC 236: Thinking, Reasoning, and Decision Making (not offered 2025-26)
  • CGSC 253: Philosophy of Cognitive Science (not offered 2025-26)
  • CGSC 330: Embodied Cognition (not offered 2025-26)
  • CGSC 340: Phenomenology and Cognitive Science (not offered 2025-26)
  • CGSC 382: Cognitive Development in Children and Adolescents (not offered 2025-26)
  • CS 254: Computability and Complexity
  • CS 301: History of Computing in England Program: History of Computing
  • CS 314: Data Visualization (not offered 2025-26)
  • CS 314*: Data Visualization (*=Junior Seminar)
  • CS 320: Machine Learning
  • CS 321: Making Decisions with Artificial Intelligence (not offered 2025-26)
  • CS 322: Natural Language Processing
  • CS 344: Human-Computer Interaction
  • CS 361: Artificial Life and Digital Evolution (not offered 2025-26)
  • CS 361*: Artificial Life and Digital Evolution (*=Junior Seminar) (not offered 2025-26)
  • ECON 265: Game Theory and Economic Applications
  • ECON 267: Behavioral Economics
  • EDUC 234: Educational Psychology
  • IDSC 250: Color! (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 117: Sociophonetics (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 216: Generative Approaches to Syntax
  • LING 217: Phonetics and Phonology
  • LING 219: Sociophonetic Analysis (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 240: Topics in Semantics and Pragmatics
  • LING 275: First Language Acquisition (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 276: Between Languages: Heritage Speakers (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 280: Field Methods in Linguistics
  • LING 311: The Spoken and Written Word (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 315: Topics in Syntax (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 325: Syntax of an Unfamiliar Language (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 340: Topics in Semantics and Pragmatics
  • LING 350: Invented Languages: From Toki Pona to Na’vi
  • MUSC 227: Perception and Cognition of Music (not offered 2025-26)
  • NEUR 127: Foundations in Neuroscience and Lab
  • NEUR 238: Neurons, Circuits and Behavior
  • PHIL 100.02: Science, Faith and Rationality (25/FA)
  • PHIL 112: Intelligence, Agency and Autonomous Machines
  • PHIL 116: Sensation, Induction, Abduction, Deduction, Seduction (not offered 2025-26)
  • PHIL 203: Bias, Belief, Community, Emotion
  • PHIL 207: Japanese Philosophy: No Mind, No Life (not offered 2025-26)
  • PHIL 217: Reason in Context: Limitations and Possibilities (not offered 2025-26)
  • PHIL 223: Philosophy of Language (not offered 2025-26)
  • PHIL 225: Philosophy of Mind
  • PHIL 257: Contemporary Issues in Feminist Philosophy (not offered 2025-26)
  • PHIL 297: Kant’s Philosophy of Mind (not offered 2025-26)
  • PHIL 319: Self-Knowledge
  • PHIL 373: Reptiles and Demons (not offered 2025-26)
  • PSYC 214: Neuropsychology of Aging
  • PSYC 216: Behavioral Neuroscience (not offered 2025-26)
  • PSYC 220: Sensation and Perception
  • PSYC 234: Psychology of Language (not offered 2025-26)
  • PSYC 238: Memory Processes
  • PSYC 250: Developmental Psychology (not offered 2025-26)
  • PSYC 258: Social Cognition (not offered 2025-26)
  • PSYC 267: Clinical Neuroscience
  • PSYC 366: Cognitive Neuroscience
  • PSYC 375: Language and Deception

Directed Research Course – Required 3 credits

  • CGSC 396: Comps Proposal in Cognitive Studies

Senior Thesis and Integrated Exercise – Required 9 credits

Note: Prior to beginning the comps sequence, majors must have completed CGSC 130: Revolutions in Mind, CGSC/PSYC 232: Cognitive Processes/233 and PSYC 200: Measurement and Data Analysis in Psychology/201

  • CGSC 399: Senior Thesis in Cognitive Science (6 credits)
  • CGSC 400: Integrative Exercise (3 credits)

Requirements for the Cognitive Science Minor

Minor Requirements – 50 Total Credits

To encourage breadth within the minor, normally no more than four courses taken from a single department or program may be counted toward the minimum eight courses required.

Core Courses – Required 14 credits

  • CGSC 130 Introduction to Cognitive Sciences (6 credits)
  • CGSC/PSYC 232: Cognitive Processes
    AND CGSC/PSYC 233: Laboratory in Cognitive Processes

Core Elective Courses – Required 12 credits

Elective Courses – Required 24 credits

At least one must be a 300-level course. To ensure sufficient interdisciplinarity, no more than four courses may be taken from any one department or program.

  • BIOL 365: Seminar: Topics in Neuroscience
  • BIOL 368: Seminar: Developmental Neurobiology (not offered 2025-26)
  • CGSC 100.01: Cognitive Development in Childhood (25/FA)
  • CGSC 100.02: Living with Artificial Intelligence (25/FA)
  • CGSC 207: Japanese Philosophy: No Mind, No Life (not offered 2025-26)
  • CGSC 236: Thinking, Reasoning, and Decision Making (not offered 2025-26)
  • CGSC 253: Philosophy of Cognitive Science (not offered 2025-26)
  • CGSC 330: Embodied Cognition (not offered 2025-26)
  • CGSC 340: Phenomenology and Cognitive Science (not offered 2025-26)
  • CGSC 382: Cognitive Development in Children and Adolescents (not offered 2025-26)
  • CS 254: Computability and Complexity
  • CS 301: History of Computing in England Program: History of Computing
  • CS 314: Data Visualization (not offered 2025-26)
  • CS 314*: Data Visualization (*=Junior Seminar)
  • CS 320: Machine Learning
  • CS 321: Making Decisions with Artificial Intelligence (not offered 2025-26)
  • CS 322: Natural Language Processing
  • CS 344: Human-Computer Interaction
  • CS 361: Artificial Life and Digital Evolution (not offered 2025-26)
  • CS 361*: Artificial Life and Digital Evolution (*=Junior Seminar) (not offered 2025-26)
  • ECON 265: Game Theory and Economic Applications
  • ECON 267: Behavioral Economics
  • EDUC 234: Educational Psychology
  • IDSC 250: Color! (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 117: Sociophonetics (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 216: Generative Approaches to Syntax
  • LING 217: Phonetics and Phonology
  • LING 219: Sociophonetic Analysis (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 240: Topics in Semantics and Pragmatics
  • LING 275: First Language Acquisition (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 276: Between Languages: Heritage Speakers (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 280: Field Methods in Linguistics
  • LING 311: The Spoken and Written Word (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 315: Topics in Syntax (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 325: Syntax of an Unfamiliar Language (not offered 2025-26)
  • LING 340: Topics in Semantics and Pragmatics
  • LING 350: Invented Languages: From Toki Pona to Na’vi
  • MUSC 227: Perception and Cognition of Music (not offered 2025-26)
  • NEUR 127: Foundations in Neuroscience and Lab
  • NEUR 238: Neurons, Circuits and Behavior
  • PHIL 100.02: Science, Faith and Rationality (25/FA)
  • PHIL 112: Intelligence, Agency and Autonomous Machines
  • PHIL 116: Sensation, Induction, Abduction, Deduction, Seduction (not offered 2025-26)
  • PHIL 203: Bias, Belief, Community, Emotion
  • PHIL 207: Japanese Philosophy: No Mind, No Life (not offered 2025-26)
  • PHIL 217: Reason in Context: Limitations and Possibilities (not offered 2025-26)
  • PHIL 223: Philosophy of Language (not offered 2025-26)
  • PHIL 225: Philosophy of Mind
  • PHIL 257: Contemporary Issues in Feminist Philosophy (not offered 2025-26)
  • PHIL 297: Kant’s Philosophy of Mind (not offered 2025-26)
  • PHIL 319: Self-Knowledge
  • PHIL 373: Reptiles and Demons (not offered 2025-26)
  • PSYC 214: Neuropsychology of Aging
  • PSYC 216: Behavioral Neuroscience (not offered 2025-26)
  • PSYC 220: Sensation and Perception
  • PSYC 234: Psychology of Language (not offered 2025-26)
  • PSYC 238: Memory Processes
  • PSYC 250: Developmental Psychology (not offered 2025-26)
  • PSYC 258: Social Cognition (not offered 2025-26)
  • PSYC 267: Clinical Neuroscience
  • PSYC 366: Cognitive Neuroscience
  • PSYC 375: Language and Deception

Cognitive Science Courses

  • CGSC 100.01 Cognitive Development in Childhood

    This Argument and Inquiry seminar will focus on the cognitive changes experienced by children in the preschool and elementary school years, in such realms as perception, attention, memory, thinking, decision-making, knowledge representation, and the acquisition of academic skills. Weekly observation at local day care centers or elementary schools will be a required course component.

  • CGSC 100.02 Living with Artificial Intelligence

    This A&I course is about artificial intelligence (AI) and its place in our lives. We will spend time wondering about how AI systems work and about how we use them. This will involve asking big questions, identifying puzzles and misinformation, and spending a lot of time thinking about robots. Doing so will involve engaging with scientific research, news articles, comics, and other forms of popular media. The primary skills this class focuses on are critical news literacy, cooperative problem solving, writing, editing, and re-writing.

  • CGSC 130.01 Revolutions in Mind

    An interdisciplinary study of the history and current practice of the cognitive sciences. The course will draw on relevant work from diverse fields such as artificial intelligence, cognitive psychology, philosophy, biology, and neuroscience. Topics to be discussed include: scientific revolutions, the mind-body problem, embodied cognition, perception, representation, and the extended mind.

  • CGSC 130.01 The Musical Mind

    An interdisciplinary examination of issues concerning the mind and mental phenomena involved in the uniquely human activity of making and understanding music. The course will draw on psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, computer science, biology, and philosophy. Topics to be discussed include: the embodied cognition of rhythm, linguistic syntax and musical structure, mental representations of musical sound and action, musical learning and development, tone and beat deafness, and perfect pitch and neural plasticity.

  • CGSC 207 Japanese Philosophy: No Mind, No Life

    This is an interdisciplinary class about embodied practice. It will draw upon theories of embodiment and skill mastery in both Japanese Philosophy and Embodied Cognitive Science. One major theme of the course will be the notion of no-mind [mushin] and its relationship to practice, expertise, and lived experience. We will ground our inquiry in contemporary works in aesthetics, martial arts like Kyudo, and bodily mechanics. The course will also create opportunities for students to practice skills of interdisciplinary research and cross-cultural philosophical writing.

    PHIL 207 is cross listed with CGSC 207.

    Not offered in 2025-26

  • CGSC 232 Cognitive Processes

    Cross-listed courses CGSC 232/PSYC 232. An introduction to the study of mental activity. Topics include attention, pattern recognition and perception, memory, concept formation, categorization, and cognitive development. Some attention to gender and individual differences in cognition, as well as cultural settings for cognitive activities. A grade of C- or better must be earned in both Psychology/Cognitive Science 232 and 233 to satisfy the LS requirement.

  • CGSC 233 Laboratory in Cognitive Processes

    Cross-listed courses CGSC 233/PSYC 233. Students will participate in the replication and planning of empirical studies, collecting and analyzing data relevant to major cognitive phenomena. A grade of C- or better must be earned in both CGSC/PSYC 232 and 233 to satisfy the LS requirement.

  • CGSC 236 Thinking, Reasoning, and Decision Making

    An examination of the way people think and reason, both when given formal laboratory tasks and when facing problems and decisions in everyday life. Students consider their own reasoning and decision making through course exercises. Topics include models of formal reasoning, decision making, heuristics and biases in thinking and problem-solving, moral reasoning, improving skills of higher order cognition.

    Not offered in 2025-26

  • CGSC 253 Philosophy of Cognitive Science

    A study of the central theories, methodological and philosophical issues and major competing paradigms regarding the nature of human cognition. Topics to be treated include: the history of cognitive science as a science, and the context through which we think about mental representations, intentionality, consciousness, the use and importance of language, nativism and externalism in the cognitive sciences, embodied cognition and the constitutive roles of culture and evolution in shaping cognitive processes.

    Not offered in 2025-26

  • CGSC 289 The Cognitive Dimensions of Artificial Intelligence

    This course will investigate the cognitive dimensions of cutting edge research in artificial intelligence and machine learning. We will apply qualitative research methods to create an annotated library of cognitive terms in “AI” research. Doing so will help put “AI” research in context. By the end of the term we will have co-created resources that can be used by others to help understand the complexities of cognition and its relationship to technology and the world.

    Not offered in 2025-26

    • 3
    • SI, Social Inquiry

    • Student has completed any of the following course(s): CGSC 130 AND CGSC/PSYC 232 or CGSC 253 with a grade of C- or better.
    • CL: 200 level

  • CGSC 294 Directed Research in Cognitive Science

    Students work on a research project related to a faculty member's research interests, and directed by that faculty member. Student activities vary according to the field and stage of the project. The long-run goal of these projects normally includes dissemination to a scholarly community beyond Carleton. The faculty member will meet regularly with the student and actively direct the work of the student, who will submit an end-of-term product, typically a paper or presentation.

  • CGSC 330 Embodied Cognition

    This seminar will consider recent work in philosophy, cognitive science and linguistics critical of views of human cognition as “disembodied” and Cartesian. Philosophical sources of the early critiques of symbolic AI and “cartesianism” will be considered (Merleau-Ponty, Dewey), as will the enactive (Cuffari, Di Paolo, and De Jaegher) and ecological (Chemero, Cowley, Steffensen) critiques of language, and current work on embodied cognition by Eleanor Rosch, Hubert Dreyfus, John Haugeland, Andy Clark and Evan Thompson. The seminar will include materials relevant to students in philosophy, linguistics, psychology and cognitive science.

    Not offered in 2025-26

  • CGSC 340 Phenomenology and Cognitive Science

    This course will provide an in-depth study of phenomenology, covering both its history and contemporary debates, and phenomenology-inspired research in cognitive science, psychology and neuroscience. Roughly half the course will be devoted to the history of phenomenology, setting the main views within their historical context and explaining how these views respond to the difficulties of their predecessors. The other half will discuss contemporary philosophical debates and scientific research involving phenomenological approaches. In addition to the CGSC 130 prerequisite, a 200-level Cognitive Science, Psychology or Philosophy course is recommended.

    Not offered in 2025-26

  • CGSC 382 Cognitive Development in Children and Adolescents

    This seminar will focus on the cognitive changes experienced by children in the preschool, elementary, and middle school years, in such realms as perception, attention, memory, thinking, decision-making, knowledge representation, and the acquisition of academic skills. Weekly observation at local day care centers or schools will be a required course component. The seminar will be discussion-based and participants will take turns making presentations and leading discussions. 

    Not offered in 2025-26

  • CGSC 394 Directed Research in Cognitive Science

    Students work on a research project related to a faculty member's research interests, and directed by that faculty member. Student activities vary according to the field and stage of the project. The long-run goal of these projects normally includes dissemination to a scholarly community beyond Carleton. The faculty member will meet regularly with the student and actively direct the work of the student, who will submit an end-of-term product, typically a paper or presentation.

  • CGSC 396 Comps Proposal in Cognitive Studies

    Senior majors in cognitive studies will work with the instructor to develop a thesis proposal for their comps project.

  • CGSC 399 Senior Thesis in Cognitive Science

    The organizing and writing of a senior thesis in cognitive science, overseen by a CGSC faculty member and in cooperation with other seminar members.  Students will present drafts of their theses to the class for feedback and will offer one another constructive criticism on the writing and organization of each paper.  Students will be expected to produce a 25-40 page paper that will eventually serve as a capstone to their CGSC major during CGSC 400.

  • CGSC 400 Integrative Exercise

    Students will complete their Cognitive Science comps projects, in response to feedback from their comps advisor.  Students will also give a public presentation of their comps project to a Carleton audience.

    • Spring 2026
    • S/NC
    • 3
    • No Exploration

    • Student is a Cognitive Science major AND has Senior Priority.
    • CGSC Core
    • Kathleen Galotti 🏫 👤