Date

Topics

Readings

Assignments

Tue 1/16

An introduction to the course:
the mind, brain, language and cognition; neurons and other cells

R1
Book Preface, Ch 1, 2, 3

0: How you think it works

Thu 1/18

The brain:
Basic structure and function of the brain as a biological entity and a computing device

Book Ch 4, 5, tutorial on neurons and neural firing

Tue 1/23

The brain 2:
Neural development, learning, and repair.

Book Ch 6, article on how performing actions is required for understanding

1: Brain facts

Thu 1/25

Introduction to connectionist modeling; alternative representations

Book Ch 3, 9

Tue 1/30

Findings in psychology and psycholinguistics

O1, Mirror Neurons

Book Ch 7, article on Embodiment of Cognition 

2: Neural Networks software exercises

Thu 2/1

Experimental Techniques : Imaging, TMS

An article on FMRI, An article on Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Tue 2/6

PDP and structured connectionist models; learning concepts;

Book Ch 9
Article on learning, LTP

Quiz

Thu 2/8

Backpropagation

Wikipedia article on backpropagation, detailed backpropagation tutorial

Tue 2/13

The neurophysiology, psychophysics, anthropology, and linguistics of color

Thu 2/15

Cognitive Linguistics 1: categories and prototypes

R4 Ch 3-5, R5 Ch 3, Book Ch 11, 13

Tue 2/20

Cognitive Linguistics 2: image schemas and force-dynamics Guest lecturer George Lakoff talks about linguistics

Book Ch 15 The Brain's Concepts: The Role of the Sensory-Motor System in Conceptual Structure (.doc)

Thu 2/22

Semantic Frames and FrameNet

FrameNet, Book Ch 11

4: Prototypes

Tue 2/27

Regier's model for word learning

R6
Book Ch 10, 11, 12

Thu 3/1

The Computational Level

Book Ch 11

5: Regier -model exercises

Tue 3/6

Midterm

Thu 3/8

Bayesian models and belief nets

Tue 3/13

Motor control, simulation, and executing schemas

R13, O2 , O3 , O4
Book Ch 11 , 13

6: Bailey model exercises/ Model merging (coding)

Thu 3/15

Bailey's model for learning hand-motion verbs

Book Ch 14, O2 (revisited)

Tue 3/20

Guest lecture: Tom Griffiths

R14 (Chap 11), O5
Book Ch 18

7: Frame semantics, aspect and metaphor exercises

Thu 3/22

Metaphor

R4 (Chapters 4 and 5), Book Ch 16, 17

Tue 3/27

Spring Break

Thu 3/29

Spring Break

Tue 4/3

Aspect: the structure of events; Belief Networks

bayes net tutorial 1 and 2
Book Ch 18, 19

Thu 4/5

KARMA: Narayanan model for metaphorical concepts. Understanding news stories.  

O6, Book Ch 20

Tue 4/10

The Binding Problem

O5 (revisited)
Book Ch 9 (revisted), The Binding Problem

Thu 4/12

Grammar 1

R3 Book Ch9, 11, O7, Book Ch 21, 22

Tue 4/17

Grammar 2: Constructions

R2, Book Ch 23, 24

8: Narayanan model exercises

Thu 4/19

Models of Language Learning

Grammar Induction, Book Ch 22

Tue 4/24

Embodied Construction Grammar

O8, O9, Book Ch 23, 24

9: Language learning exercises
10: BBS Commnetary

Thu 4/26

Learning Embodied Constructions

  Book Ch. 25

Tue 5/1

Book Ch 26, 27

Thu 5/3

(Open Lecture)

Tue 5/8

Final Quiz

Fri 5/11

the final exam will not take place on Friday, but rather on Tuesday 5/8 in class

Final Paper due!