Students

COGS2010 – Memory

2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor
Danielle Colenbrander
Lecturer
Paul Strutt
Guest Lecturer
Matthew Crossley
Guest Lecturer
Matthew Finkbeiner
Guest Lecturer
David Kaplan
Guest Lecturer
John Sutton
Tutor
McArthur Mingon
Tutor
Kurt Lancaster
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
60cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Memory is everywhere - in our personal lives, in popular culture, in big science, and in our machines. But memory is notoriously hard to pin down. Is it all in the brain? Is it in our actions, in our social world, and in our valued objects and places? Or is it now all online? This unit introduces the interdisciplinary study of memory, offering students a critical survey of memory research across the cognitive and brain sciences, the social sciences, and the arts. Emphasis will be placed on autobiographical memory, embodied memory, and shared remembering between individuals. Students will learn to assess scientific and popular claims about what memory is, and how memory loss and gain can be understood in the digital age.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate sound theoretical and technical knowledge of key theoretical frameworks, concepts, and phenomena in memory research across the disciplines.
  • ULO2: Develop critical and analytic capacities to assess scientific and popular claims about memory.
  • ULO3: Explain current concepts, theories, methods, and findings on memory in the cognitive and social sciences.
  • ULO4: Critically evaluate contemporary memory controversies by applying knowledge and problem-solving skills to examples from the field.

Assessment Tasks

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Assessment Information

Late Penalty

Late submission of an assignment will attract a penalty of 5% of the maximum mark for every day that the assignment is late (including weekend days). For example, if the assignment is worth 40 marks and your assignment is submitted 2 days late, a penalty of 2x5%x40 = 4 marks will be applied and subtracted from the awarded mark for the assignment. Work submitted more than 7 days after the submission deadline will not be marked and will receive a mark of 0. Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to notify the University of a disruption to their studies and requests for extensions for assignments must be made via the University’s Ask MQ System (as outlined in the Special Consideration Policy).

Word Limits

For written assignments, there will be 5% leeway in the word limit (e.g., up to 50 words over 1000), but beyond that you will be penalised 5% of your report mark for every further 100 words over the limit.

Delivery and Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.

Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

Lectures and Tutorials

Lectures are held weekly, from Week 1. Lectures run from 1-3pm on Thursdays in Theatre 4, 14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Ave. Tutorials are held weekly, starting in Week 2. Tutorials are held on Thursdays in 4 Western Road (room 221), and on Fridays in 29 Wallys Walk (room 138).

Lecture slides will be uploaded just before the lecture time under the lecture link in the relevant week in iLearn. 

iLearn

You will need access to the internet to access the unit's iLearn page. Through iLearn you will be able to access the lecture recordings (Echo360), additional readings, and feedback and marks for the assessment tasks.

You are also required to submit the Commentary Paper and Essay via iLearn, using the Turnitin submission tool.

Weekly online quizzes

This unit has weekly online multiple choice quizzes designed to keep you on track during the semester. These test knowledge and understanding of content of the lectures and associated required readings.

There are 10 quizzes in total from Week 1 to Week 12, with no quiz set for week 7.

Quizzes will be graded either as full credit or no credit; no partial credit will be given.

To receive full credit on a quiz, you must correctly answer at least 50% of the multiple choice questions. If you correctly answer less than 50% of the questions, you will receive no credit for that quiz. No make-up quizzes will be permitted (with the exception of officially approved Special Consideration requests). However, your 2 lowest quizzes will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Quizzes must be completed online each week before the lecture.

Each quiz will be open until 12 midday on the day of the lecture. For example, the quiz for week 3 will be open until 12 midday on Thursday of Week 3.

Only quizzes completed before this deadline will be recorded. These quizzes are open book, and you may take each quiz multiple times before the deadline, but only the first submitted attempt for each quiz will be counted. You will receive feedback as to your correct and incorrect answers at the completion of each quiz.

The quizzes are delivered through iLearn, so you need to have access to a reliable computer with connection to the Internet. Technical difficulties will not be accepted as a reason for special consideration.

To access the online quizzes:

1. Navigate to the appropriate week in iLearn (e.g., Week 2) and click on that week’s quiz.

2. Read the information provided about what content that quiz will cover (it’s open book!), and note the date and time the quiz will close.

3. Click “Attempt quiz now” to begin. After answering each multiple-choice question, click “Save and review”.

4. Next, ensure you have answered each question (i.e., “Answer saved”). If you have not answered a question (i.e., “Not yet answered”), click “Return to attempt”.

5. Once you are satisfied that you have answered every question, click “Submit all and finish”. This will submit your quiz for scoring and log your grade.

6. Finally, you can carefully review your feedback to note which questions you did and did not answer correctly. The correct answer for each question will be given.

7. Click “Finish review” to exit. Remember, you can attempt the quiz again by selecting “Re- attempt quiz”, but only your first attempt will count towards your grade.

Commentary Paper

Due: 11:59pm Monday 6th April (Monday Week 7)

Short critical exposition and analysis of a key reading. Structured short essay designed to help students to read, summarise, and think critically about memory research across the disciplines. 750-1000 words.

Essay

Due: 11:59pm Friday 29th May (Friday Week 12)

Critical evaluation of an area of memory research. 2000-2500 words.

Final exam

The final exam consists of multiple choice and short answer questions covering lecture, assigned reading and tutorial content over the entire semester.

The time and location for this exam will be timetabled centrally and announced later in the semester.

You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. The timetable will be available in Draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in Final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of the examinations (http://students.mq.edu.au/ student_admin/exams/).

The only exception to sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for special consideration due to disruption to studies. Information about unavoidable disruption and the special consideration process is available at: http://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study- program/special-consideration

If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process, the examination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period. The format of a supplementary examination is at the unit convenor’s discretion and is subject to change from the original final examination. Supplementary Exams are only offered to students who have satisfactorily completed all other assessments for the unit and were unable to sit the final exam because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. If a Supplementary Exam has been granted, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure they sit the Supplementary Exam on the specified date.

You are advised that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations for individuals or groups of students. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester, which is the final day of the official examination period.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about the unit

Your tutor can answer most of the questions that you may have about the unit, including questions about the unit in general and specific questions about the tutorials. If you experience difficulty in this unit, you should approach your tutor first.

You can get in touch with your tutor before or after your tutorial, via email, or via the dialogue tool on iLearn.

Contact details for tutors can be found at the top of this unit guide and on iLearn. Please note that your tutor is your first point of contact for any of these questions.

The unit convenor and lecturer are to be contacted only when absolutely necessary. They should be contacted during specified contact hours or via email only.

Requests for extensions, medical leave and/or disruption to studies

Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to notify the University of a disruption to their studies. All requests for extensions, medical leave and/or disruption to studies should be made prior to the due date for the assignment, and are to be made via the University’s online Ask MQ system (as outlined in the Special Considerations Policy). Do not email the unit convenor, the lecturers or the tutors directly to request special considerations - all requests must go through the Ask MQ system. 

Requests for tutorial changes

Changes to tutorials need to be done online via eStudent only. After week 2, no further changes will be entertained unless supporting documentation about the reason for changing is provided and there is space in the tutorial you wish to enrol in. Please note that changes to tutorials cannot be made by the unit convenor, lecturers or tutors.

Do I need to look at iLearn?

(Short answer: Yes!)

You should check the iLearn web site at regular intervals for announcements, online quizzes, lecture slides, and other supplementary learning materials.

It also features a discussion board on which you may converse with other students about course material, or any other legitimate business related to COGS2010.

The iLearn site also has the Active Learning Platform activities for links to Echo360, which will have the lecture recordings.

The feedback and marks for the assessment tasks are also delivered via iLearn. It is recommended that you visit this site regularly and make full use of the facilities.

What does it take to do well in COGS2010?

You are expected to pay close attention to all lectures and to take notes to aid your retention of the material.

Although Echo360 will be invaluable when attendance is physically impossible, it is recommended that you attend all lectures in person, particularly as we incorporate interactive activities, discussion and demonstrations within the lectures.

Review of the material (individually, or in group sessions) in your own time will be essential to consolidate knowledge and enhance understanding.

Required reading should be completed before attempting the relevant online quizzes, and before attending the next lecture. The online quizzes are designed to help you keep up with the readings. They offer the chance to answer questions while using resources such as the textbook. This open book format is unlike formal examinations, and offers an opportunity for grade enhancement that should not be missed.

You also need to attend and engage with the tutorials, completing all the activities and making the most of the opportunities to develop research skills and consolidate understanding of the lecture and tutorial content.

Assessment will be based on the successful understanding of material from lectures, tutorials and from the required reading. Watching the lectures or reviewing lecture slides alone will not be sufficient.

Please note that rote learning alone is unlikely to be a successful strategy, as the assessments will test for deeper appreciation of the course material in a variety of formats. Simply remembering the “facts” will not suffice. You need to demonstrate your understanding of the principles, and demonstrate the ability to apply such understanding in new contexts.

What material is examinable?

The final exam will be cumulative, covering content from lectures, required readings and tutorials from the whole course.

The additional information in the supplementary reading is not directly examined but is likely to deepen and support your understanding of key concepts described in the lecture.

How do I upload my assignment via iLearn?

You are required to submit your Experimental Report via iLearn, using the Turnitin submission tool. Please use the following step-to-step guide on how to submit a Turnitin assignment.

Statement on Academic Courtesy

It is the right of each student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all classes on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please enter the lecture theatre or tutorial as quietly as possible to minimise disruption, using the back entrance if possible.

Although some lectures will include discussion, talking between students while the lecturer is talking is disruptive and is strongly discouraged.

Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for classrelated activities (e.g. taking notes), you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others.

Statement on Social Inclusion and Diversity

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery.

As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others on the basis of their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief.

All lecturers, tutors and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.