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2025-2026 Pitzer College Catalog
Cognitive Science Major
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Cognitive Science Arising as a named field in the middle of the 20th century, Cognitive Science (CogSci) is the interdisciplinary investigation of the mind. It seeks to understand the nature of cognition (in a broad sense) by making use of a variety of disciplinary lenses, based on the belief that no single academic discipline can give a full or complete explanation of the mind. As with many interdisciplinary endeavors, the full scope of disciplinary membership varies from program to program, but most accounts attribute central roles to six co-equal disciplines: Anthropology, Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology, Neuroscience, and Computer Science. Aspects of each of these disciplines-for example, philosophy of mind or the computer science subfield of artificial intelligence-attempt to investigate such mental phenomena as belief acquisition, language development, evolution of consciousness, or the relationships among art, culture, and cognition, to name only a few topics.
Learning Outcomes
- Breadth of knowledge: Students should acquire breadth of knowledge across the fields that contribute to cognitive science, including grasping the key issues at stake and taking a range of disciplinary perspectives across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
- Depth of knowledge: Students should acquire depth of knowledge in one core disciplinary subject or interdisciplinary topic of the cognitive sciences and cognitive humanities and develop a robust understanding through advanced coursework and scholarly research.
- Appreciation of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary inquiry: Students should be able to articulate the value of studying the mind, cognition, language, and knowledge using a combination of philosophical, empirical, formal-analytic, and cultural-historical approaches.
- Application of knowledge: Students should be able to use critical thinking to evaluate and interpret evidence, to develop original and creative arguments, and to apply cognitive science concepts, theories, and research findings to contemporary and enduring questions.
Pitzer Advisers: C. Fought, T. Justus, B. Keeley, C. Strauss.
Major Requirements
The major in Cognitive Studies requires the completion of at least 11 courses. All major requirements must be taken on a letter-grade basis. Normally, at least 7 of the 11 major courses will be taken at Pitzer. Students pursuing a double major in cognitive science and another discipline may overlap no more than two courses between the two sets of major requirements. Please also check the catalogue for any additional stipulations of the other major.
Required Courses
Introductory Course (1)
Breadth Courses (6)
With the advice of your academic adviser, one course each from six of the following seven areas.
Philosophy of Mind
Biology, Neuropsychology, and Neuroscience
Computer Science
Development and Evolution
Linguistics and Psycholinguistics
Cognition and the Arts
Anthropology, Culture, and Society
Depth Courses (4)
With the advice of your academic adviser, four additional upper-division courses from one or two of the areas above, normally including at least one methods course (e.g., experimental methods, field methods, or studio course) and at least one seminar appropriate to the specialization. With adviser and instructor permission, honors candidates may count 1 credit of COGS 199 PZ [Senior Thesis] towards the depth requirement.
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Cognitive Science Honors
During the spring semester of the junior year, selected students who have maintained a 3.50 GPA overall, a 3.50 GPA in the major, and who have taken appropriate methodology and writing intensive courses may be invited to submit a proposal for a senior honors thesis. Those accepted to pursue an honors thesis will enroll in COGS 199 PZ -Senior Thesis in Cognitive Science for one or both semesters of the senior year, in accordance with the recommendation of the thesis adviser. Those students who complete an exemplary thesis while maintaining the required GPA will be awarded honors. Cognitive Science Courses
Anthropology
Cognitive Science
Computer Science
Linguistics
Neuroscience
Philosophy
Psychology
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