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Cognitive Studies

Study the nature of the mind & brain from the perspective of multiple disciplines

The emerging field of Cognitive Science unites researchers in philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, anthropology, and sociology in the study of the human mind. The new Philosophy-Cognitive Studies major at the University of Cincinnati allows students to take a wide variety of courses in these disciplines. Students gain a strong foundation in Cognitive Science, while maintaining a focus on the "big" questions concerning cognition and mentality. Two new introductory courses specifically designed for this track serve as an entry-point to the active and growing field of Cognitive Science.

Questions investigated within the Philosophy-Coginitive Studies major include:

  • What is consciousness, and how does experience arise from the brain?
  • Can a machine think, or have feelings?
  • Are minds and brains like complex computers, or is this a mistaken analogy?
  • What is “the self” and how does it relate to the brain?
  • What can we learn from mental illness and psychoactive drugs about the normal functioning of the human mind?
  • How can we scientifically study the “private” nature of our own minds?

The Philosophy-Cognitive Studies major course requirements:

Take 6 Core Courses:

  1. Phil 1006/Psych 1006: Introduction to Cognitive Studies
  2. Phil 2032: Inquiry in Cognitive Science
  3. One of the following three:
    • Psych 2020: Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
    • Psych 2030: Sensation and Perception
    • Psych 2070: Psychobiology
  4. Phil 3042/Psych 3042: Philosophy of Psychology
  5. One of:
    • Psych 3032: Current Controversies in Cognitive Science
    • Psych 3041: Cognition in the Wild
  6. Phil 5099: Capstone

Choose 7 Electives:

GROUP 1: Animal Minds and the Evolution of Cognition:

  • Anth 1003: Biological Anthropology
  • Anth 1004: Human Evolution
  • Anth 2050: Primate Behavior
  • Phil 3045: Phil and Cog Ethology
  • Anth 4059: Human Adaptation

GROUP 2: Broken Brains/Broken Minds:

  • Bio 1053: Drugs and Disease in the Brain
  • Psych 2051: Abnormal Psych
  • Soc 2073: Drugs and Society
  • Psych 3026: Broken Brains
  • Psych 3062: Brains on Drugs
  • Psych 6022: Psychopharmacology
  • Anth 6079: Medical Anthropology II: Subjectivity, Experience, and Mental Illness

GROUP 3: Foundations:

  • Phil 2041: Minds and Machines
  • Phil 3030: Philosophy of Mind
  • Phil 3040: Philosophy of Science
  • Phil 4000: Ad Top Phil Mind
  • Phil 4042: Ad Top Phil Life Sciences

GROUP 4: Minds and Brains:

  • NS 2002: Fundamentals of NS II
  • Psych 3020: Cognitive Neuropsychology
  • Psych 3024: Functional Neuroanatomy
  • Psych 3072: Special Topics in Neuropsych
  • Psych 4003: Senior Seminar in Neuropsych

*Recommended that QR requirement be fulfilled by MATH, statistics, Phil 1011: Intro to Logic, or Phil 2010: Symbolic Logic.

*Study abroad program available: Budapest Semester in Cognitive Science (bscs-us.org) US Director: Tony Chemero; Recommended for junior year; Fulfills 15 hours of elective credit for the major

Contact Vanessa Carbonell with any questions about the philosophy-cognitive studies or call 513-556-6325.