32035 - Cognitive and Social Neurosciences

Learning outcomes

A the end of the course, students will know a) the main techniques involved in Cognitive Neuroscience; b) the neural bases of cognitive and affective processes; c) neural basis of social interaction. 

Course contents

The course of Cognitive and Social Neuroscience is divided into three teaching modules:

Module 1 (4 training credits, Prof.ssa Frassinetti):

• Cognitive and Social Neuroscience Methods
• Brain plasticity
• Visual recognition of objects
• Visual space representation

Module 2 (4 training credits, Prof. di Pellegrino):

• Selective attention
• Learning and memory
• Control of the action
• Cognitive control

Module 3 (4 training credits, prof. Avenanti):

• Emotions
• Social neuroscience
• Sleep and brain rhythms

The course takes place in the first cycle of lessons (from September to December 2020). The lessons are held at the Department of Psychology, Cesena Campus, Piazza Aldo Moro, 90.

It will also be possible to follow lectures  electronically via Teams software.

The topics of module 1 will be treated first, then the topics of module 2, and finally the topics of module 3.

Readings/Bibliography

GAZZANIGA Michael S, IVRY Richard B, MANGUN George R

Neuroscienze Cognitive

Zanichelli (2015)

(particularly, Chapter 2, 3, 5-10, 12-13)

 

In addition, the slides presented durning the lecture, and some articles in English will be made available to students.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures, presentation and discussion of clinical cases and experiments, brief video clips projections, analysis of scientific articles. 

Assessment methods

Verification of the learning outcomes takes place through the final exam that ensures the acquisition of the expected outcomes by carrying out a written test lasting 1 hour.

The exam consists of 45 multiple choice questions divided into:

• 15 questions relating to Module 1
• 15 questions relating to Module 2
• 15 questions relating to Module 3

Attending and non-attending students can take the exam through 2 partial tests.

The 1st partial test, lasting 20 minutes, with 15 multiple choice questions on the topics covered in Module 1, will be held approximately in October 2020 (the date will be communicated to the students during the lessons, and published as a notice on the website of the course teachers).

The 2nd partial test, lasting 40 minutes, with 30 multiple choice questions on the topics covered in Module 2 and Module 3, can be carried out in correspondence with the first and / or second session of the 2021 winter session.

To be eligible to take the 2nd partial test, a minimum score of 18 points must be obtained in the 1st partial test.

At each appeal, however, it is possible to take the total exam test (45 multiple choice questions, duration of 1 hour).

Note: The grade in the 1st partial test remains valid for the winter, summer and autumn sessions of 2021. Students who passed the 1st but will not pass the 2nd partial test during  2021, must then complete the examination in its entirety.

Evaluation criteria

Each correct answer to each question allows you to get 2 points for a total of 30 points per module.

Each incorrect or undelivered answer is scored 0 points.

The final mark is calculated as the average of the scores obtained in the three modules. In the case of a non-integer average score, the final mark is rounded up to the next higher unit for decimals equal to or greater than 0.5.

Honors are awarded to students who have achieved a score of 30 in all modules.

During the exam, the use of support material such as textbooks, notes, IT supports is not allowed. Registration for the exam by electronic bulletin board on the AlmaEsami website is required, in compliance with the established deadlines. Any problems in registering through the dedicated website must be promptly communicated to the teaching secretariat

Due to the health emergency linked to Covid-19, the exams of the 2021 summer session will take place remotely via Zoom/Eol.

 

Teaching tools

PowerPoint slides, video clips

 

Office hours

See the website of Giuseppe Di Pellegrino

See the website of Alessio Avenanti

See the website of Francesca Frassinetti