Cognitive Foundations

PSYC 545 – 4 credits

  • Winter quarter, Mon and Wed 1:30-3:20 in the Psychology Building classroom
  • Rich Hartman, PhD
    • email: rhartman@llu.edu
    • office hours – Use this link to schedule an appointment
      • On campus: Monday 12:30-1:00, Wednesday 10:30-11:00 / 3:30-4:30
      • Via Zoom: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 12-3

PLEASE NOTE THAT EVERYTHING IN THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ANY CHANGES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN CLASS AND IN CANVAS.

Course Description

This class will provide an introduction to the fields of cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience by reviewing the literature pertaining to major theories, methods, and findings in perception, cognition, memory, and consciousness, including an introduction to the contemporary cognitive sciences. The objective is for students to use and build upon the knowledge gained in previous classes by surveying a curated series of contemporary research papers that explore how the mind works.

The class will operate in a journal club format, in which each class will cover ~3-4 review cutting-edge and/or classic papers on the day’s topic. Students should submit a 1-page equivalent (single-spaced, 12-point font, 1” margins) summary of 2 of the papers to the Canvas Discussions page before 1:30 on the day of class.

Each summary should demonstrate a graduate level of “synthesis” rather than a rote description of the papers. Note that everyone in the class has met the prerequisites and therefore has the basic background required to understand all of the papers. Nevertheless, extra research (even if just in the form of some quick Google / Wikipedia searches) will almost certainly will be useful and/or required. The summaries can be “free form”, but the following issues should generally be addressed:

  • How did the readings inform you on the topic as a scientist and/or clinician?
  • How did the readings help you to understand “how the mind works”?
  • Did they challenge and/or reinforce your previously-held views on the topic?
  • What questions were raised that went unresolved?
  • Were any interesting philosophical issues raised in your mind?
  • How do these readings relate to other topics in this class?
  • Did the authors have a clear (or possibly hidden) agenda?

Classes will generally start with a brief overview of the day’s topic and papers. Following this introduction, the floor will be opened for discussion. Please note that this style of class depends on a high level of student participation. For the past couple of years, we have generally been able to maintain an interesting and robust discussion for the remainder of the class period, but if the conversation drags, students may be called upon to talk about their summaries.

There will be 2 tests, in which you will be answering questions about that unit’s topic(s).

Learning Goals:

  • To examine core areas of the psychological sciences and demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of major topics.
    • Specifically, to critically evaluate the contemporary literature regarding the fundamental principles, theories, and research methodologies in the cognitive sciences.
  • To use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena and synthesize / evaluate psychological theories and methods.
    • Specifically, to identify relationships between the cutting-edge findings from the cognitive sciences and your chosen field of study.
  • To understand and apply effective methods of instruction and communication.
    • Specifically, to clearly communicate current research and theory in the cognitive sciences.

Grading

Evaluation of the learning goals will be derived from written responses, verbal summaries, and participation during the in-class discussions / interactions, as well as written answers to test questions.

  • 15 1-page summary papers (30 papers) will be worth 15 points each (225 total)
  • 15 in-class verbal discussions will be worth 15 points each (225 total – grade averaged from participation throughout each “unit” of 3-4 classes). Generally, students will get 7 points just for being there and saying nothing and 8-15 points for engaging in the discussion (ranging from 8 for 1-2  basic comments to 15 for substantial, on-topic discussion(s) or comment(s) regarding the papers of the day).
  • 1 paper presentation (~5m) will be worth 30 points
  • 2 tests (with representative questions taken from the discussions of these verbal summaries) will be worth 60 points each (120 total).

Late papers will be docked 50% for each day (i.e., after 1:30 on the day of class, 50% off; any time on the next day, an additional 50% off, and so on).

A total of 600 points is therefore possible: A=93%, A-=90%, B+=87%, B=83%, B-=80%, C+=77%, C=73%, C-=70%, D+=67%, D=63%, D-=60%, F=<60%

Tentative Weekly Schedule (subject to change as needed)

Boilerplate stuff

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy
    • If you are an individual with a certifiable disability and need to make a request for reasonable accommodation to fully participate in this class, please visit the Dean’s Office of your school. To view the Disability Accommodation Policy please go to the student handbook  (beginning on page 60).
  • Academic Integrity Policy
    • Acts of dishonesty including theft, plagiarism, giving or obtaining information in examinations or other academic exercises, or knowingly giving false information are unacceptable. Substantiated violations are to be brought before the dean for disciplinary action. Such action may include, but is not limited to, academic probation or dismissal from the program. To view the Standards of Academic Conduct Policy please go to the student handbook (beginning on page 76).
  • Academic Policies and Standards for Performance
    • All students receive copies of their Program’s Student Handbook and the Loma Linda University Student Handbook upon admission to the University and program. Students are held responsible for becoming familiar with the policies contained in these documents. Specifically, students need to know and understand the academic policies that guide their classroom and practicum experiences. These include but are not limited to policies for assignment standards, late assignments, attendance, identification of codes for course assignments, and academic dishonesty. Students should address any questions they may have regarding these policies to the Department’s Academic Standards/Affairs Committee.
  • Protected Health Information
    • The purpose of the Protected Health Information (PHI) policy is to provide guidance and establish clear expectations for students regarding the appropriate access to and use of PHI during course studies and related program activities. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), patient health information is protected. Click here for more information.

SBH Course Attendance and Grading Policies

Attendance Policy: School of Behavioral Health (SBH) programs are programs of professional preparation and students are expected to attend all class sessions; failure to do so will negatively impact the student’s ability to continue in the course. SBH’s position regarding attendance reflects the need for students to actively participate in class activities aimed at integrating course specific content as well as integration of knowledge from a range of courses. The SBH faculty believe this cannot be accomplished through independent study alone.

  • Attendance Requirements for In-Person Main Campus Courses:
    • SBH students are required to attend 80% of all scheduled in-person classes to receive a passing course grade. Courses designated for Main Campus instruction cannot be attended online.
  • Attendance Requirements for Hybrid and Synchronous Online Courses:
    • Students enrolled in a hybrid or synchronous online course must attend 80% of all weekly in-class or online sessions and engage with weekly module activities to be eligible to receive a passing course grade.
  • Attendance Requirements for Asynchronous Online Courses:
    • SBH students enrolled in asynchronous courses must demonstrate regular engagement with the weekly module activities and are not permitted to have more than two 7-day periods (from the first day of the module week) without engagement with the module. Engagement is defined as reviewing module resources, interacting with peers by responding to discussion/assignment prompts and communicating with the instructor.

Students who do not complete the attendance requirements as stated above (regardless of class format) will be advised to withdraw from the course, and in cases of non-communication with the instructor and program director, will receive a failing grade with subsequent notification to the Loma Linda University Financial Aid Representative. The stated allowances for class absences are to be used for illness, personal emergencies, jury duty, or work responsibilities. Appropriate documentation should be provided. Students should give special attention to scheduling personal appointments at times that do not conflict with their responsibilities regarding class attendance. For all courses, students are required to be seated in the classroom (in-person or virtual classrooms) and ready to participate by the class-time listed in the university online course schedule or the welcome page of their Canvas classroom.  Early departures, class tardiness, multitasking, frequent and/or extended breaks, and having your camera off without faculty approval (for synchronous online classes) are documented and factored into the course grade, potentially resulting in an unsatisfactory or failing grade. Instructors record didactic synchronous online sessions or meetings related to a course using digital technology (e.g., Zoom, Panopto). These recorded class sessions or meetings may be made available to students within the class through the Learning Management System and shall not be posted or shared beyond the students registered for the course and course instructors, unless otherwise approved. Students shall not record meetings held on digital platforms (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Panopto), without expressed written permission from the instructor or meeting leader.

Late Assignment Submission Policy

It is imperative that students submit course assignments by the due date indicated on the syllabus. However, we understand that there may be circumstances where a student needs to submit their work late. In such cases, the following policies apply:

  • Late Assignment Submission: Assignments submitted after the due date will not be accepted if they are more than two weeks late. This policy ensures that students submit their work in a timely manner and allows for efficient grading and feedback processes. If a late assignment is accepted, it may result in a deduction of up to 10% from the total score. This penalty encourages students to submit their work on time while still providing an opportunity for those who face genuine difficulties.
  • Time-Dependent and/or Sequenced Assignments: For assignments that are time-dependent or sequenced, the professor has the discretion to not accept late submissions. This is because these assignments often build upon previous work or require timely participation, making it challenging to incorporate late submissions without disrupting the learning process.
  • Online Discussion Posts, Reading Quizzes, and Knowledge Checks: Late submissions are not allowed for online discussion posts, reading quizzes, or knowledge checks. These activities are designed to foster timely engagement and assess understanding in a dynamic learning environment. However, if a discussion post is designated as a larger course assignment, it may fall under the 10% deduction rule for late submissions. Your instructor will notify you if this is the case.

A time-limited extension for up to two weeks, without a late assignment penalty, will be considered for extenuating circumstances. Time-limited extension requests need to be submitted to the instructor for approval with a copy of the request sent to the Program Director. Documentation should be provided as appropriate. After two weeks the assignment will not be accepted. Students who cannot meet the requirements of the two-week time-limited extension need to review with their instructor and Program Director whether they should withdraw from the course or meet the University’s criteria for an Incomplete (I). Unless an Incomplete (I) has been approved, all assignments must be submitted by the last Friday of the quarter at 2:00pm (PST).