Students

COGS3210 – Advanced Topics in Cognitive Science: Embodied Cognition and Skilled Performance

2022 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convernor, lecturer and tutor
Kath Bicknell
Contact via Contact by email
Level 3, Australian Hearing Hub
Please email to arrange an appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp including (COGS2000 or COGS202) or (COGS2010 or COGS210) or COGS2020 or COGS2030 or COGS2040 or COGS2050
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Is the mind in the head? Or might cognitive processes sometimes involve the rest of the body, as well as the brain? This unit examines increasingly popular ideas about ‘embodied cognition’, with a focus throughout on the practical, applied, and empirical significance of these ideas for specific active research programs in the cognitive sciences. Among a range of topics, we look especially at the cognitive mechanisms of action and skilled movement, with examples from the study of sport, performance, and other real-world practices. We introduce methods for studying the rich ecologies of embodied cognition, and encourage students to draw on their own expertise, skills, and interests. This unit provides a thorough, cutting-edge, practical introduction to embodied cognition, and thus to some of the liveliest debates and movements in contemporary cognitive science.

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: Explain current concepts, theories, methods, and findings in the field of embodied cognition.
  • ULO2: Identify strengths and limitations of recent research associated with embodied cognition.
  • ULO3: Discuss points of integration and conflict in the field of embodied cognition with intellectual independence.
  • ULO4: Produce observant, descriptive analyses of cognitive processes in real-world environments.
  • ULO5: Synthesise information from a wide variety of sources to formulate a convincing argument in written form.

General Assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

 For example:

Number of days (hours) late

Total Possible Marks

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

1 day (1-24 hours)

100

5

75

70

2 days (24-48 hours)

100

10

75

65

3 days (48-72 hours)

100

15

75

60

7 days (144-168 hours)

100

35

75

40

>7 days (>168 hours)

100

-

75

0

 

Late submission of time sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Special Consideration

If you are unable to complete an assessment task on or by the specified date due circumstances that are unexpected, unavoidable, significantly disruptive and beyond your control, you may apply for special consideration in accordance with the special consideration policy. Applications for special consideration must be supported by appropriate evidence and submitted via ask.mq.edu.au.

Word count for written assignments

For written assignments, there will be 5% leeway in the word limit (i.e., up to 100 words over 2000). Beyond that you will be penalised 5% of your assesment mark for every further 5% of words over the limit (eg. For an essay with a word limit of 2000, you will be penalised 5% of your raw mark for that assessment for every additional 100 words over 2100).

Questions about the assessment tasks?

Please email the unit convenor for clarification or questions about any of the assessments, or ask for clarification during tutorials. The convenor is happy to discuss essay directions in advance of submission if necessary.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Cognitive Ethnography project 30% No 5 October 2022
Presentation 15% No In class, weeks 4-12
Essay 35% No 6 November 2022
Commentary paper 20% No 15 August 2022

Cognitive Ethnography project

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 5 October 2022
Weighting: 30%

Written analysis (max 1000 words) of skilled performance using cognitive ethnographic methods.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify strengths and limitations of recent research associated with embodied cognition.
  • Discuss points of integration and conflict in the field of embodied cognition with intellectual independence.
  • Produce observant, descriptive analyses of cognitive processes in real-world environments.
  • Synthesise information from a wide variety of sources to formulate a convincing argument in written form.

Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: In class, weeks 4-12
Weighting: 15%

Leading and/or prompting of a class discussion, highlighting an article from the week's reading list.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain current concepts, theories, methods, and findings in the field of embodied cognition.
  • Identify strengths and limitations of recent research associated with embodied cognition.
  • Discuss points of integration and conflict in the field of embodied cognition with intellectual independence.
  • Produce observant, descriptive analyses of cognitive processes in real-world environments.

Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 6 November 2022
Weighting: 35%

Max 2000 words


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain current concepts, theories, methods, and findings in the field of embodied cognition.
  • Identify strengths and limitations of recent research associated with embodied cognition.
  • Discuss points of integration and conflict in the field of embodied cognition with intellectual independence.
  • Produce observant, descriptive analyses of cognitive processes in real-world environments.
  • Synthesise information from a wide variety of sources to formulate a convincing argument in written form.

Commentary paper

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 15 August 2022
Weighting: 20%

 

Max 500 words

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain current concepts, theories, methods, and findings in the field of embodied cognition.
  • Identify strengths and limitations of recent research associated with embodied cognition.
  • Discuss points of integration and conflict in the field of embodied cognition with intellectual independence.
  • Produce observant, descriptive analyses of cognitive processes in real-world environments.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of face-to-face and online learning activities, including face-to-face lectures and tutorials, weekly readings and YouTube videos of ordinary people doing, and performing, extraordinary things! Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Lectures and Tutorials

Lectures and tutorials will be delivered live, face to face on Fridays at Macquarie University's Ryde campus.

Lectures will run for two hours on Fridays, from 11am-1pm. They will also be recorded.

Tutorials will run for one hour. There are two tutorial times for this unit: 2-3pm on Fridays and, if enrollment is large enough for a second tutorial, 3-4pm on Fridays.

Recommended Readings

All course reading materials will be available electronically through iLearn.

Technology Used

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.

 

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

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 based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone. The Unit Convenor is happy to provide additional support if needed.

Professionalism

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. 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 class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.


Unit information based on version 2022.05 of the Handbook