EPN-V2

PHBA8210 Learning and complex behavior: Advanced concepts - research and application Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Learning and complex behavior: Advanced concepts - research and application
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2020/2021
Course history
  • Required preliminary courses

    The course consists of 1 introductory meeting, and 6 - 12 seminars of 4 x 45 minutes, and time for discussion and a final seminar (4 x 45 minutes). The introductory meeting takes place 2 weeks ahead of the main part of the course. At this meeting, the structure, content and purpose of the course are presented. The students are asked to give short presentations of their Ph.D. projects, and describe how the course is relevant to it. The main purpose of this early session is to help the students to start systematic work with the course readings.

    The seminars target central themes from the course readings for discussion and reflection. A high level of student participation is expected. During this time, students will produce several reaction papers (3 - 4 pages double spaced), and a final presentation of one central theme from the course. Themes are assigned by the lecturers. The final seminar consists of a discussion of the presentations, which are distributed in advance as papers not to exceed 10 pages double spaced, and introduced by each candidate in a short (3 minute) session. Course teachers mediate the discussions.

  • Learning outcomes

    • All papers approved,
    • attendance in at least 80 % of the seminars, and
    • approved paper presentation in final seminar.

  • Content

    Principles of behavior, behavioral research, verbal behavior, motivation, selectionist sciences, complex behavior, integration of analytical units

  • Teaching and learning methods

    The course consists of 1 introductory meeting, and 6 - 12 seminars of 4 x 45 minutes, and time for discussion and a final seminar (4 x 45 minutes). The introductory meeting takes place 2 weeks ahead of the main part of the course. At this meeting, the structure, content and purpose of the course are presented. The students are asked to give short presentations of their Ph.D. projects, and describe how the course is relevant to it. The main purpose of this early session is to help the students to start systematic work with the course readings.

    The seminars target central themes from the course readings for discussion and reflection. A high level of student participation is expected. During this time, students will produce several reaction papers (3 - 4 pages double spaced), and a final presentation of one central theme from the course. Themes are assigned by the lecturers.

    The final seminar consists of a discussion of the presentations, which are distributed in advance as papers not to exceed 10 pages double spaced, and introduced by each candidate in a short (3 minute) session. Course teachers mediate the discussions.

  • Course requirements

    Pass / Fail

  • Assessment

    Internal

  • Permitted exam materials and equipment

    Complexity; emergence; self-organization; pattern formation; selection, adaptation and evolution; co-operation and competition; game theory; co-evolving systems; systems dynamics; cultural analysis - ethics, methodical issues - ethics

  • Grading scale

    Pass / Fail

  • Examiners

    Internal