Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science MA
Master
In Birmingham
Description
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Type
Master
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Location
Birmingham
What is it to have a mind? Are mental properties reducible to neural properties? Could a computer ever truly think? Can we know what it is like to be a bat?
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Subjects
- Ms Word
- Computational
- Cognitive Science
- Imaging
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Word
- Psychiatry
- Mental Health
Course programme
You will study three core modules plus three optional modules before completing your 15,000 word dissertation.
Core modulesYou will study three core modules:
Research Skills and MethodsThis module provides an introduction to the methods of contemporary philosophy. Topics addressed typically include: critical thinking in philosophy, reading in philosophy, research skills, dissertation planning, and presenting philosophical arguments in written work. You will also participate in online sessions focused on generic research skills.
Assessment: Two 2,000-word essays
This module covers a range of advanced topics in philosophy of mind. In any given year of delivery several of the following topics will be addressed in detail: theories of consciousness, dualism, behaviourism, functionalism, anomalous monism, the representational theory of mind, externalism vs. internalism, mental causation, interpretationism, representationalism, perception, non-conceptual content, personal identity, self-knowledge.
Assessment: One or two written assignments totalling 4,000 words
Plus one of:
Philosophy of Cognitive ScienceThis module covers key topics in the Philosophy of Cognitive Science. These will include foundational topics such as the Computational Theory of Mind and modularity, issues that have been central in the formation and development of cognitive science since the 1950s. We shall also address some more specialised and contemporary topics, which may include, for example, the scientific study of consciousness and perception, disorders or impairments of cognition, animal minds, and the issue as to what brain imaging techniques such as fMRI can tell us about the mind.
Assessment: One or two written assignments totalling 4,000 words
This module provides an overview of contemporary debates in philosophy psychiatry and Mental Health. In each seminar a new issue will be investigated, but there will be three interrelated threads throughout the module. One is about the nature of psychiatry. The second is about the sense in which psychiatric disorders are disorders of the self. The third is about how we should respond to people with psychiatric disorders, considered from a wide range of perspectives, including interpersonal, clinical, ethical, legal and public health policy. These themes will be addressed by reference to different aspects of psychiatry (classification, diagnosis, aetiology, research, treatment, etc.) and different psychiatric disorders (addiction, anorexia, dementia, dissociation, schizophrenia, personality disorders, psychopathy, etc.) and different disciplinary frameworks. The module will also have a practical element involving structured, outcome-focussed deliberation about difficult cases highlighting these threads and their interrelations.
Assessment: One or two written assignments totalling 4,000 words
You will also choose three optional modules. Options typically available in Philosophy include:
- Bioethics
- Epistemology
- Ethics and Global Ethics
- God, Freedom and the Meaning of Life
- Human Rights
- Metaphysics
- Philosophy and Mental Health (if not taken as core)
- Philosophy of Cognitive Science (if not taken as core)
- Philosophy of Health and Happiness
- Philosophy of Language
- Topics in Global Justice
For more information, see our Philosophy postgraduate modules.
However, up to 40 credits can also be taken from outside the discipline, such as from the School of Psychology or the School of Computer Science.
Options typically available in Psychology include:
Autumn term- BICN-Fundamentals in Brain Imaging Methods
- Design and Analysis 1
- Introduction to Computational Methods
- Introduction to Neuroscientific Methods
- Matlab Programming
- Advanced Brain Imaging in Cognitive Neuroscience
- Advanced Computational Methods
- Application of Electrophysiological Approaches in Cognitive Neuroscience
- Design and Analysis 2
- Mind, Brain, and Models
Admission to Psychology modules is at the discretion of the relevant module lead, subject to students demonstrating that they have the relevant background and skills to complete the module.
DissertationIn addition to your taught modules, you will conduct a piece of independent research with the support of a
supervisor, culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation.
Please note that the optional module information listed on the website for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science MA