Cognitive Science

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)

• COGS 011 PZ -Intro to Cognitive Science  or, with adviser and instructor permission, LGCS 011 PO -Intro to Cognitive Science 

Breadth Courses (6)

With the advice of your academic adviser, one course each from six of the following seven areas.

Philosophy of Mind

• PHIL 030 PZ -Knowledge, Mind & Existence
• PHIL 185N PZ -Topics in Phil of Neuroscience
• or an alternative Claremont Colleges course with adviser and instructor approval.

Biology, Neuropsychology, and Neuroscience

• PSYC 101 PZ -Brain and Behavior
• NEUR 095L JT -Foundations of Neuroscience
• or an alternative Claremont Colleges course with adviser and instructor approval.

Computer Science

• CSCI 004 PZ -Intro to Comp Sci for Non-majors  
• or an alternative Claremont Colleges course with adviser and instructor approval.

Development and Evolution

• COGS 123L JT -Mind, Brains & Programs
• or an alternative Claremont Colleges course with adviser and instructor approval.

Linguistics and Psycholinguistics

• LGCS 010 PZ -Introduction to Linguistics  
• PSYC 127 PZ -Language & Cognition
• LGCS 115 PZ -Bilingualism
• or an alternative Claremont Colleges course with adviser and instructor approval.

Cognition and the Arts

• PSYC 126 PZ -Music Cognition
• PSYC 128 PZ -Cognitive Film Studies
• PSYC 182 PZ -Seminar in Psychology of Art
• or an alternative Claremont Colleges course with adviser and instructor approval.

Anthropology, Culture, and Society

• ANTH 003 PZ -Language, Culture & Society
• ANTH 070 PZ -Psychological Anthropology
• LGCS 110 PZ -Language & Gender  
• LGCS 112 PZ -Language and Society
• LGCS 166 PZ -Topics in Sociolinguistics
• or an alternative Claremont Colleges course with adviser and instructor approval.

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.

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.

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.