Psychology 8900
Associative Learning, Conditioning, & Animal Cognition
Spring 1995
Instructor: Dr. Michael F Brown
Course Requirements:
Midterm Exam 30%
Term Paper 30%
Final Exam 30%
Participation 10%
Required Text: Mackintosh, N.J. (Ed.) (1994). Animal Learning and Cognition. AcademicPress.
This course will be a SEMINAR covering selected topics in Animal Learning and Cognition. The principal readings will come from the primary literature (journal articles and book chapters).
Our classroom time will focus on DISCUSSION of the material, put into context by me. Students are responsible for CAREFULLY reading the assigned material before each class, and being prepared to discuss it in depth. I strongly suggest that you outline the material as you read it, and make a list of questions and issues for the purposes of our classroom discussion. This course is most beneficial (and more fun) when we are successful in running it as a seminar, rather than having me simply spewing out my view of the world. This requires cooperation and EFFORT on the part of all of us.
The exams are intended to tap your understanding of the conceptual issues. You will be allowed to use a single-side 8.5" X 11" sheet of notes while taking the exams. The second (final) exam will not be cumulative.
We will discuss the term paper during our first meeting. Briefly, it will be a theoretical review of a topic within the boundries of this course, plus some creative contribution (such as a new theoretical synthesis, a new critique of a theory, or a suggested new experiment to test a previous theory).
Back to Michael Brown's Page
Last updated: 04/30/2003