EUS2300 ¨C Books, smart phones and the brain: A cognitive approach to reading and writing in the digital age

Course content

The neurons and synapses of our brain are just one part of a fuller story of how humans think. In this course we explore the consequences of work within cognitive science that argues that our minds are not limited to a computational brain. Rather, our minds are distributed across our bodies, the world and different kinds of technology as we (en)actively build our predictions of how the world works. We will explore two of the most important cognitive technologies in human history: Reading and writing. We will look at the "literary mind", through investigating the cognitive possibilities of deep-reading and writing. Further, we will explore the cognitive stakes at play when we move our minds into digital ecologies that change the way we read and write. Finally, we reflect on the "extended student" and how we can draw on the discussions in this course to understand how our cognitive habits and technologies can be better tuned to both academic and personal development and well-being.

Learning outcome

After completing this course you will

Knowledge

• Have an understanding of recent developments in cognitive science on the enactive, extended and predictive nature of our minds.
• Have gained knowledge of how these cognitive frameworks are used to understand reading and writing.
• Have knowledge of how the cognitive frameworks in question can enable a better understanding of how digital tools are affecting the way we read and write.

Skills

• Have acquired interdisciplinary skills in operationalizing cognitive frameworks in concrete case-studies.
• Be trained in reflecting on how larger cognitive frameworks and philosophical ideas may be applied to everyday student life.
• Be able to use relevant sources to support your line of reasoning in the essay (term paper) and know how to apply references.

General competence

• Be able to plan and write a longer academic essay (term paper).
• Be able to discuss and debate with others in classroom discussions.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.

Teaching

Seminar, two hours per week for 10 weeks.

You are expected to come prepared for each seminar, having read the text(s) to be discussed, and to contribute to discussions in class.

Obligatory activities:

• In order to qualify for submission of the exam (term paper), you must present your ideas for the rest of the class and submit a preliminary draft of the term paper to be commented upon by the teacher.?Read more here about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements.?Information about?guidelines for obligatory activities.

• It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60 % of the teaching. In this course, you have to attend 6 of 10 seminars. The requirement is absolute.

The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.?

In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you may apply for?special needs accommodations.

Examination

The obligatory requirements must be fulfilled in order to qualify for the exam.

The form of assessment is a term paper of 8 standard pages (2,300 characters each). You will be expected to work on this paper throughout the semester.

Language of examination

You may submit your response in English, French or Norwegian.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.

Resit an examination

A term paper or equivalent that is passed may not be resubmitted in revised form.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• How to use AI as a student
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.