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    Overview

    Introduction to models of how human language is implemented in the brain, drawing on research in linguistics, psychology, neuroscience and computational modelling.

    COSC 421 addresses one of the central questions in cognitive science: how language is implemented in the human brain. Answering this question draws on research in several disciplines: neuroscience, psychology, linguistics and computational modelling. The aim of the paper is to provide an accessible introduction to the relevant topics for students from each of these disciplines. The paper is unusual in that it includes students from several departments, each bringing a different perspective on the topic.

    About this paper

    Paper title Neural Models of Language
    Subject Computer Science
    EFTS 0.1667
    Points 20 points
    Teaching period Not offered in 2022 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,371.61
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Restriction
    NEUR 421
    Eligibility

    There are no formal prerequisites for the 400-level papers, but prior knowledge is assumed.

    Contact

    Computer Science Adviser, adviser@cs.otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff
    Course Co-ordinator and Lecturer: to be advised.
    Paper Structure

    There are three parts to the paper:

    • Part 1: Models of the perception, execution and representation of reach-to-grasp actions (visual attention, object classification, visuomotor control, action recognition, working memory representations)
    • Part 2: Models of natural language syntax (Chomsky's Minimalism, construction grammar, statistical language models)
    • Part 3: Models of language acquisition in infants (phonological, lexical and syntactic development)

    Assessment:
    40% exam and 60% assignments, split as follows:

    • Assignment 1 - Phonological working memory 15%
    • Assignment 2 - Word forms 15%
    • Assignment 3 - Infant word-meaning learning 15%
    • Assignment 4 - Learning syntactic structures 15%
    Teaching Arrangements
    There is one 2-hour lecture per week.
    Textbooks
    A Knott: Sensorimotor Cognition and Natural Language Syntax (MIT Press)
    Course outline
    View the course outline for COSC 421
    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Interdisciplinary perspective, Critical thinking.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes
    The main general skill students will acquire is an ability to make connections between different scientific disciplines that use different methodologies.

    Timetable

    Not offered in 2022

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    None
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