32034 - Laboratory (2) (2nd cycle) (G.E)

Learning outcomes

The content of the course varies from year to year, but it is designed to provide students with professional-level skills across the various areas of study covered by the degree program.

Course contents

The course aims to explore some of the most current and debated topics in experimental research on language, with particular attention to the theoretical and methodological challenges that shape contemporary cognitive psychology.

Starting with an introductory theoretical framework, the professor will present a key theme—selected for its relevance within the current scientific landscape—that will guide the entire lab-based course.

The laboratory will have a strong applied and participatory orientation. Several lessons will be dedicated to the critical analysis of scientific articles: students will present a paper and engage in a collective discussion with the class, moderated by the professor, to highlight the strengths, limitations, and implications of the research under review. Thus, the course has a dual objective: on the one hand, to delve into an emerging topic in the international scientific debate; on the other, to develop tools to read, interpret, and critically assess research in cognitive psychology as it pertains to language.

Attendance in the Psycholinguistics 1 course is not required, although students who have taken it will be able to build on their existing knowledge. Active participation is strongly encouraged, both for the collaborative construction of knowledge and for the preparation of the final exam.

The Laboratory (6 cfu) will take place during the IV period, for a total of 30 teaching hours.

Readings/Bibliography

The bibliography differs depending on whether the student attends the course or not. Specifically:

• Attending students: preparation of the presentation given during the course. Study of two additional articles, chosen from those discussed in class.
  
  
• Non-attending students: Study of five articles, including the following three mandatory readings:

1. Barsalou, L.W. (2009). Simulation, situated conceptualization, and prediction. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 364, pp. 1281–1289.
2. Caruana F., Borghi, A.M. (2013). Embodied Cognition: Una nuova psicologia. Giornale Italiano di Psicologia, XXXV, pp. 23–48.
3. Mahon, B.Z., Caramazza, A. (2008). A critical look to the embodied cognition hypothesis and a new proposal for grounding conceptual content. Journal of Physiology, 102, pp. 59–70.
   
   The two additional articles have to be selected from a list provided at the beginning of the course.
   

All articles are available online through the University of Bologna library portal.
To download them remotely from a personal computer when not connected to the UniBo Wi-Fi network, it is necessary to access them via the UniBo proxy service:
http://www.biblioteche.unibo.it/portale/strumenti/proxy

In case of difficulty accessing the articles, students are encouraged to contact the professor.
The professor is also available to provide additional materials for in-depth exploration of specific topics related to the course.

Teaching methods

The laboratory is structured in two complementary phases:

In the first phase, there will be lectures given by the professor, supported by PowerPoint presentations, introducing the main theoretical and methodological issues in cognitive psychology as applied to language research. These lectures will provide the critical tools necessary to analyze scientific research on language in a conscious and in-depth manner.

In the second phase, the sessions will be dedicated to the presentation of scientific articles by attending students, followed by a collective discussion moderated by the instructor. The presentations will focus on recent studies related to the course topic, with the aim of fostering discussion and critical reflection.

Through this structure, the laboratory offers a gradual and participatory learning path, guiding students from theoretical understanding to the practical application of critical analysis in research.

All materials presented during the lessons (PDFs of PowerPoint slides, videos, links, etc.) will be made available through the Virtuale platform.


To deepen their understanding of the experimental paradigms and theoretical topics covered, students will also have the opportunity to participate in experimental studies on language, including online research. Further information will be provided during class.
Non-attending students who are interested are kindly asked to contact the instructor (l.lugli@unibo.it).

Assessment methods

Students will be evaluated on the basis of an oral exam

The goal of the exam is to assess:

1. the student's mastery of the acquired content
2. the level of critical and conceptual understanding and elaboration of the topics covered
3. the ability to navigate among the main theoretical approache

Excellent grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate an integrated and coherent understanding of the topics discussed in class and are able to critically apply this knowledge.

Satisfactory grades will be awarded in the case of a primarily rote-memorized knowledge of the material and some ability to synthesize and analyze content.

Failing grades will be assigned in cases of significant gaps in knowledge and inability to navigate the bibliographic materials provided during the course.

The exam represents an additional opportunity for discussion with the instructor—an opportunity that students are encouraged to seek also during the course, by actively participating, asking for clarifications, or proposing topics for further exploration.

Exam Sessions
During the academic year 2025/2026, exam sessions will be held in the following months:

• May 2026
• July 2026
• September 2026
• November 2026
• January 2027
• March 2027

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders have the right to special adjustments according to their condition, following an assessment by the Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact the instructor but get in touch with the Service directly to schedule an appointment. It will be the responsibility of the Service to determine the appropriate adjustments. For more information, visit the page: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students .

It is recommended that students contact the University office in advance. Any proposed adjustments must be submitted at least 15 days in advance for the instructor’s approval, who will evaluate their appropriateness in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

To deepen understanding of the experimental paradigms and theoretical topics covered in the course, students will have the opportunity to take part in experimental research studies on language processing (including online participation). Further information will be provided during the lectures.


Non-attending students who are interested are kindly asked to contact directly l.lugli@unibo.it.

Office hours

See the website of Luisa Lugli