University of St Andrews - Scotland's first university, founded 1413

Module Catalogue

For information on which modules are specific to your programme, please see : Programme requirements index 2019-2020.

Curricular information may be subject to change.

PS5010 Principal Approaches to the Origins of Mind

Academic year(s): 2019-2020

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 11

Semester: 1

Planned timetable: 9.00 am Seminars, 2.00 pm practicals/tutorials.

This module serves to introduce distinct ways of studying the origins of mind within a comparative Tinbergian framework, emphasising both functional and mechanistic accounts; why capacities exist, how they are implemented, how they evolved and how they develop. Lectures will cover general evolutionary theory and: (1) Comparative/Phylogenetic, (2) Developmental, (3) Mechanistic/causal, and (4) Functional/adaptive approaches. 'Hot' research topics will be presented using particulars of these frameworks and will exemplify the spectrum of methods possible to address the origins of mind.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: Seminar and tutorial/practical each week.

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment: Resubmission of failed item(s) of coursework

Personnel

Module coordinator: Professor C L Hobaiter
Module teaching staff: Dr C Hobaiter and Dr G Brown
Module coordinator email clh42@st-andrews.ac.uk