Entry requirements
Only open to students that are admitted to the Minor Brain and Cognition.
Description
In this 3 EC course we will discuss experimental studies and comparative analyses of the language and communication systems of human and non-human animals. We will specifically focus on the human language system and on comparative studies involving songbirds and human infants.
Objevctives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
gain knowledge about recent theories and (comparative) experimental studies in the field of language and communication in humans and non-human animals;
understand the difference between language and communication; and
understand the similarities and differences of vocal learning in humans and non-human animals.
Mode of Instruction
5 2-hour seminars
Timetable
Exact dates will be published in the end of August. The course will run around the end of October and beginning of November.
Assessment
Active participation in class (10%)
A short group presentation in class (30%)
A short research proposal ( max 2 A4) (60%)
Reading list
Van Heijningen, C., Chen, J., van Laatum, I., van der Hulst, B. & C. ten Cate (2013). Rule learning by zebra finches in an artificial grammar learning task: which rule? Animal Cognition 16, 2, 165-175.
Other papers: To be announced
Contact information
For questions about enrolment, please contact the coordinator of the minor in Brain and Cognition
For questions about the course, please contact the course coordinators:
Prof. Dr. C.C. Levelt