HD 3210 - Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

(D-HE, KCM-HE, PBS-HE, SBA-HE) (D-AG, KCM-AG, OPHLS-AG, SBA-AG)

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Recommended prerequisite: an introductory course in human development and at least one introductory course in behavioral neuroscience or biological basis of behavior.

M. Gonzalez.

As it is with much of scientific discovery, a poet, William Wordsworth, best explained development with a simple phrase: The Child is father of the Man (person). In this course, we explore how our adult selves come to be through the lens of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. You will learn about current perspectives and controversies, the latest understanding of the development of multiple physiological systems (e.g., vision, perception, language, etc.) as interactions between molecular mechanisms, experience, and neural plasticity. Weekly short reaction papers, class exercises, and midterm and final projects, will all be geared towards developing a personal appreciation for the subject as well as an understanding of the issues in developmental cognitive neuroscience as a field.

Outcome 1: Students will show a nuanced understanding of the competing and complementary theories of developmental neuroscience through reaction papers and class participation.

Outcome 2: Students will demonstrate the ability to find, read, and synthesize disciplinary literature by completing a review of primary developmental neuroscience literature on a topic that is innately interesting to them.

Outcome 3: Students will demonstrate the ability to generate and engage in scientific discourse through discussant roles, in-class presentations, and general class discussion both in-class and in the online forums.