Course Policies
Course description
How does the human mind arise from the unthinking matter of the brain? According to the Computational Theory of Mind, the brain is a biological computer, and cognition is its function. We'll examine this idea by gradually building up from the simplest mechanical parts to creatures with cognition, agency, and maybe even consciousness. Along the way we'll touch upon the nature of representation, language, memory, algorithms, levels of abstraction, and the interaction between mind and world. Requirements include: daily readings; 6 problem sets; final project; attendance; no final exam. Warning: this course is time-intensive!
How does the human mind arise from the unthinking matter of the brain? According to the Computational Theory of Mind, the brain is a biological computer, and cognition is its function. We'll examine this idea by gradually building up from the simplest mechanical parts to creatures with cognition, agency, and maybe even consciousness. Along the way we'll touch upon the nature of representation, language, memory, algorithms, levels of abstraction, and the interaction between mind and world. Requirements include: daily readings; 6 problem sets; final project; attendance; no final exam. Warning: this course is time-intensive!
Waitlist and PTEs
The following is my standard policy, but I may announce exceptions in class: I will not accept students from the waitlist and I will not give out PTE's. You can still become enrolled in the course up until the waitlist closes. However, if your are on the waitlist, you are advised to find a back-up class as soon as possible. If you are on the waitlist and hoping to enroll, you must still attend lecture and section.
The following is my standard policy, but I may announce exceptions in class: I will not accept students from the waitlist and I will not give out PTE's. You can still become enrolled in the course up until the waitlist closes. However, if your are on the waitlist, you are advised to find a back-up class as soon as possible. If you are on the waitlist and hoping to enroll, you must still attend lecture and section.
Course materials
The textbook for the course is the online course book Making Minds (MM); the short chapter from MM are also the lecture handouts. This and all other readings and course materials will be available on this website. Please check the website regularly for updates.
The textbook for the course is the online course book Making Minds (MM); the short chapter from MM are also the lecture handouts. This and all other readings and course materials will be available on this website. Please check the website regularly for updates.
Prerequisites
You must have taken at least an introductory course in Symbolic Logic. The course will not actually use the formalism from Symbolic Logic very much. And we will only use a little mathematics: addition and multiplication! Still, the style of reasoning required is logical and mathematical, hence the prerequisite.
You must have taken at least an introductory course in Symbolic Logic. The course will not actually use the formalism from Symbolic Logic very much. And we will only use a little mathematics: addition and multiplication! Still, the style of reasoning required is logical and mathematical, hence the prerequisite.
Attendance
Attendance in lecture is required.
Attendance in lecture is required.
Level of Difficulty
This course is not an easy A. Previous students in this class have reported that it requires quite a lot of work. Students who are prepared to work hard, challenge themselves, and attend class regularly will do well.
This course is not an easy A. Previous students in this class have reported that it requires quite a lot of work. Students who are prepared to work hard, challenge themselves, and attend class regularly will do well.
Grading
Your grade is based on three elements:
Your grade is based on three elements:
- 6 Problem sets, 75% (12.5% each)
- 1 Final project, 20%
- General participation, 5%
- Bonus for online course evaluation, 1%
Problem Sets
- Problem sets include technically and conceptually challenging questions which are designed to make you extend (not just apply) the concepts you learn in class.
- Problem sets will typically include ~10 technical problems, and ~2 short prompts for more philosophical reflection.
- Problem sets normally take 3-10 hours to complete, depending on your familiarity with formal or mathematical reasoning.
- Problem sets are due approximately every 1.5 weeks.
- Problem sets will (ideally) be available 1-2 weeks before they are due.
- Problem sets must be submitted online through CCLE. It is your responsibility to make sure they are clearly printed/written, clearly scanned, and easily readable to the TA.
- They will (ideally) be graded and returned to you one week after they are submitted.
- Problem sets may be completed with a group or partner. See group-work guidelines (forthcoming).
Group-work Policies [subject to change as required]
- Group work is permitted.
- Size. The maximum group size is 5 people.
- Purpose. The point of a study group is to work on finding solutions to the problems together. Study groups are not for sharing solutions without working on them.
- No free-riding: you can't join a group just to get solutions. If you join a group, you must participate in trying to solve the problems.
- No free-lunching: you can't share solutions with someone unless you've already been working with them on the solution.
- Record keeping. You must list all of your group members on your HW. If someone is in your group, you must also be in their group.
- My request. My request to each of you is to help maintain these ground rules, even if it is a bit socially awkward. If someone isn't participating, invite them into the discussion. If they won't participate, remind them of the ground rules. We all have to find a way to make education work in the current conditions.
Problem Set Grading
- The TA will mark the number of problems correct out of the total number of problems. Grading is typically done on a 0/.5/1-point basis, per question. For some problem sets with only a few questions, each question will count for more than 1 point.
- Let P = the percentage of problems you got right. For any given assignment, your grade = 40 + Px60.
- Assignments which are not handed at all in receive a total grade of 0; therefore it is much much better to hand something in which not that great than to hand in nothing at all.
- The final project will follow a different grading scheme.
Participation
"General participation" means that you are frequently engaged in the class. This can take a variety of forms:
"General participation" means that you are frequently engaged in the class. This can take a variety of forms:
- Asking questions in class.
- Productive group work in class.
- Participation in sections.
- Participation in office hours.
Grading (Nitty Gritty)
Let A1-A6 be your grades on the problem set assignments, and let A7 be your grade on the final project. Grades are determined according to the following algorithm:
Let A1-A6 be your grades on the problem set assignments, and let A7 be your grade on the final project. Grades are determined according to the following algorithm:
- First: Add together:
- each of A1 through A6, multiplied by .15;
- [IGNORE: A7 multiplied by .2;]
- your participation grade multiplied by .1;
- +1 for the bonus online evaluation;
- Second: Round the resulting number to the nearest tenth.
- Third: Translate the number into a letter grade using the following table:
| 100-93 | 92.9-90 | 89.9-87 | 86.9-83 | 82.9-80 | 79.9-77 | 76.9-73 | 72.9-70 | 69.9-67 | 66.9-63 | 62.9-60 | 59.9-0 |
| A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D+ | D | D- | F |
Late Assignments & Extensions
- Assignments will be marked down 5% (from the total) for each class elapsed since the deadline, including the class when the assignment was due.
- If you have assignments that are more than two-weeks late, please be in touch with me. Normally these are not accepted.
- I'll consider granting extensions under extenuating circumstances. However, extensions must be requested at least two-weeks prior to the deadline in question, except in the case of genuine emergencies.
How do I do well in this class?
- Attend lecture regularly.
- Attend section regularly + participate.
- Come to office hours when you have questions.
- Complete all the readings.
- Work hard on assignments and hand them in on time.
- Take a personal interest in the subject matter: what is your opinion of the ideas we are exploring?
Computers and phones in the classroom
No computers, phones, or tablets in the classroom. (Exceptions only if you have official accommodation.)
No computers, phones, or tablets in the classroom. (Exceptions only if you have official accommodation.)
Academic integrity:
My basic assumption is that all of my students are honest and well-intentioned. I trust you to carefully avoid any form of dishonest academic behavior such as cheating, fabrication, and plagiarism. If you are tempted by academic dishonesty, consider some of the consequences. First of all, if you do manage to get away with it, you put your classmates at a disadvantage and yourself at an advantage. This is selfish. Second, you get a high grade that you haven't earned and don't deserve. This is unfair. Finally, you break the trust between me and you, as well as between you and your peers. This is simply disrespectful. Ethics aside, there are also serious practical consequences if you are caught. In this class we will strictly follow the University Policy on Student Conduct, which you are responsible for knowing. The rules about academic integrity in particular are summarized here. Any violation of this policy will be reported directly to the Office of the Dean of Students.
My basic assumption is that all of my students are honest and well-intentioned. I trust you to carefully avoid any form of dishonest academic behavior such as cheating, fabrication, and plagiarism. If you are tempted by academic dishonesty, consider some of the consequences. First of all, if you do manage to get away with it, you put your classmates at a disadvantage and yourself at an advantage. This is selfish. Second, you get a high grade that you haven't earned and don't deserve. This is unfair. Finally, you break the trust between me and you, as well as between you and your peers. This is simply disrespectful. Ethics aside, there are also serious practical consequences if you are caught. In this class we will strictly follow the University Policy on Student Conduct, which you are responsible for knowing. The rules about academic integrity in particular are summarized here. Any violation of this policy will be reported directly to the Office of the Dean of Students.