INTRODUCTION TO COGNITIVE SCIENCE AND THE PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING

Cognitive sciences, which emerged in the last century, represent the intersection of various disciplines all focused on a central theme: the study of the mind. The course on fundamentals of cognitive sciences and learning psychology aims to provide an overview of the interdisciplinary contributions characterizing cognitive sciences within the realm of cognitive processes, the mind, and particularly learning. Students will learn how from formulating a philosophical question about the mind, research can span across different domains. The data collected in each of these domains allows for a contribution to the final and as comprehensive as possible knowledge on the subject. Furthermore, they will learn how philosophy cannot be entirely disconnected from the scientific data provided by disciplines such as psychology, linguistics, computer science, anthropology, and neuroscience. The interdisciplinary nature of these fields indeed constitutes the added value to the study of the mind in the 21st century.

Students will learn what cognitive science is, how it originated, and for what needs it emerged. They will understand the tools that philosophy can leverage to comprehend the functioning of the mind, drawing from the knowledge of the results of scientific disciplines. Additionally, they will learn to reason about a specific problem from different perspectives. Moreover, they will focus on understanding how the learning process occurs from an interdisciplinary standpoint. They will also begin to acquire neuroscientific notions useful for understanding cognitive processes and human behavior.

No prerequisites are required other than a good ability to broaden one's perspective and a predisposition to interdisciplinary approaches.

- Birth and history of cognitive sciences
- The Classic cognitive Science
- The post classic cognitive Science
- Research in Cognitive Science
- Digital tools: the new challenge of Cognitive Science

Jacomuzzi A., Introduzione alle scienze cognitive, Bologna, Il Mulino 2023.
Legrenzi P, Jacomuzzi A., Si fa presto a dire psicologia, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2021.

The assessment of learning will take place through an oral examination. The test will aim to assess the knowledge of the contents and concepts covered in the textbooks listed in the curriculum, as well as the materials uploaded on Moodle. The curriculum is the same for all students, whether attending or not.

The grades will be assigned based on the following criteria:

A. Scores in the range of 18-22 will be assigned for:
- Sufficient knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- Limited ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Sufficient communication skills.

B. Scores in the range of 23-26 will be assigned for:
- Fair knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- Fair ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Fair communication skills.

C. Scores in the range of 27-30 will be assigned for:
- Good or excellent knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- Good or excellent ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Fully appropriate communication skills.

D. The “laude” will be awarded to students with excellent knowledge and comprehension of the textbooks and related topics.

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As regards the grading scale (the method by which grades will be assigned), regardless of attendance status (attending or non-attending students):

A. Scores in the 18–22 range will be awarded in the presence of:

Sufficient knowledge and applied understanding of the course content;
Limited ability to collect and/or interpret data and formulate independent judgments;
Sufficient communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language pertaining to the economic functioning of public services.
B. Scores in the 23–26 range will be awarded in the presence of:

Fair knowledge and applied understanding of the course content;
Fair ability to collect and/or interpret data and formulate independent judgments;
Fair communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language pertaining to the economic functioning of public services.
C. Scores in the 27–30 range will be awarded in the presence of:

Good to excellent knowledge and applied understanding of the course content;
Good to excellent ability to collect and/or interpret data and formulate independent judgments;
Fully appropriate communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language pertaining to the economic functioning of public services.
D. Honors (cum laude) will be awarded in the presence of excellent knowledge and applied understanding of the course content, judgment skills, and communication abilities.

The lessons will be interactive and will involve active participation from the students, along with materials (made available on Moodle) to be studied in advance.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development