Addresses social aspects of decision-making and evolutionary explanations of the motivations, intuitions, and heuristics, that influence our decisions. A central focus is on understanding social identities and the cognitive biases that impact decisions regarding cooperation and conflict. Critically engages with evolutionary game theory and error management theory, as well as optimal foraging theory, kin selection theory, costly signaling theory, significance-quest theory, and the social-interactionist theory of reason.

Satisfies the upper-division electives for any track of the Cognitive Science major. 

Addresses questions about the uniqueness of human cognition and culture through critical engagement with fields such as cognitive anthropology and cognitive archaeology. A central focus is on understanding the cognitive capacities associated with distinctly human forms of culture such as art, music, story-telling, religion, science, and technology. Critically engages with research on cultural evolution and social learning. 

Satisfies the upper-division electives for any track of the Cognitive Science major.

Introduces students to the subjects of reasoning and decision-making as a means of exploring a number of issues central to the field of cognitive science, including the nature of cognitive biases and whether behavioral science can and should be used in government and business to influence decisions.  Throughout the course there is an emphasis on understanding the mathematical formalisms that guide research on decision-making, such as Bayesian probability theory, game theory, and expected utility theory.

Core Curriculum: Quantitative and Formal Reasoning

An introduction to ethical theory with a special focus on ethical issues that arise in the computing profession. It includes student presentations and feedback to improve discussion skills.

GE: Cultures and Ideas

An introduction to ethical theory with a special focus on ethical issues that arise in the engineering profession. 

GE: Cultures and Ideas

Examination of major problems, such as the nature of reality, knowledge, truth, morality, and the relation of philosophy to science and religion.

GE: Cultures and Ideas

The nature of right and wrong, good and evil; the grounds of moral choice and decision; the resolution of moral conflicts.

GE: Cultures and Ideas