Admission Requirements
Bachelor diploma
Description
Modern humans are often seen as superior to other animals in a wide range of cognitive and behavioural domains. Researchers have adopted comparative approaches to find out which mechanisms underlying human intelligence, social cognition, communication and other complex behaviours are shared with other species. In this course we will take an interdisciplinary look at studies investigating the behaviour of non-human animals as well as studies from the field of Artificial Intelligence which can teach us about cognition. To what extent can we find parallels for complex human behaviour in non-human species? What can we learn about human cognition and behaviour from the comparative approach? To what extent can complex human behaviours be operationalised and implemented in AI systems? And how can we use AI applications to study animal behaviour? Issues such as the emergence of culture, social imitation, language, domestication and ethics will be addressed using data on various species including birds, primates and dolphins.
We will read and discuss literature on animal and computational cognition and gain hands-on practice with the design and presentation of a scientific poster, which will be displayed at a poster festival in the last week of the course. We will also discover how animal cognition research is conducted in practice during a class field trip.
Course Objectives
This course will give an overview of the comparative approach towards an understanding of human and non-human cognition.
Time Table
The dates are included in the Media Technology calendar
Mode of Instruction
lectures and self study
Assessment Method
Poster presentation, homework assignments, student participation in class
Blackboard
Yes
Reading List
Study materials will be provided by the lecturer during the course
Registration
Via program coordinator Media Technology: Nanda Milbreta: mediatechnology@leiden.edu, 071-527 6994
Signing up for classes and exams in uSis
You have to sign up for classes and examinations (including re-exams) in uSis. Check this link to find the information and activity codes.
How to sign up for classes and exams
Contact Information
Nanda Milbreta: mediatechnology@leiden.edu
Important Links
Curriculum link
http://mediatechnology.leiden.edu/programme/curriculum/capita-selecta-ii