CBSC 296 - Spring-Term Topics in Cognitive and Behavioral Science

FDR: SS3
Credits: 3-4

Spring 2022, CBSC 296A-01: Spring-Term Topics in Cognitive and Behavioral Science: Intergroup Dialog (3). In a multicultural society, discussions about issues of racial and ethnic conflict and community are needed to facilitate understanding among different racial/ethnic and other social/cultural groups. In this intergroup dialogue, students will participate in semi-structured face-to-face meetings across social identity groups. Students will discuss relevant reading material and will explore group experiences in various social and institutional contexts. Participants will examine narratives and historical, psychological, and sociological materials. Students will participate in exercises that will be debriefed in class and in weekly journals. The goal is to create a setting in which students engage in open and constructive dialogue, learning, and exploration concerning issues of intergroup relations, conflict, and community. (SS3) Rodriguez-Newhall.

Spring 2022, CBSC 296B-01: Spring-Term Topics in Cognitive and Behavioral Science: Psychology of Creativity and Innovation (3). One course in CBSC. What is Creativity? It is an idea, a concept, that we intuitively grasp yet have difficulty defining. It involves the generation of an idea that is both novel and valued. It is critical to aspects of our lives ranging from the mundane (e.g., solving personal and interpersonal problems) to the profound (creating works of art, making scientific discoveries). In this course, we will discuss how to increase creative behavior in individuals, groups, and organizations, and highlight aspects that are common to all three. We will discuss various theories of creativity, the processes of creativity, characteristics of creative people, and survey creative environments. Perhaps most importantly, you will develop confidence in your own personal creativity. (SS3)  Whitehead.

Spring 2022, CBSC 296C-01: Spring-Term Topics in Cognitive and Behavioral Science: Cognitive Science of Communications (3).  The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how cognitive science principles can be applied in science communications to improve message quality regardless of medium, substance, or target audience. Students will participate in practical training in the execution of specific types of communications commonly used in scientific careers that span the public and private sectors, including abstracts, poster presentations, media articles, emails, and memos. Through a combination of readings, discussions, and exercises, students will learn concrete strategies for how to convey scientific information and data in ways that are both accurate and compelling. (SS3) Cooch.