Course Description
This coursewill focus on neuropsychological disorders and treatment, including: the history of the science, disorders associated with hemispheric specialization, motor control problems, deficits in attention, language, memory, generalized cognitive disorders, and our current understanding of the relationship between brain plasticity and recovery of function. This course cannot be used toward Science concentrations. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
- PSY 320: Cognitive Psychology
- PSY 101: Psychology (Recommended)
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to:
- Understand the scientific basis of neuropsychology.
- Describe how biology and neuroscience contribute to the field of neuropsychology.
- Know the basic anatomy of our central nervous system and be able to apply this knowledge to the notion that the abnormal functioning of this system leads to abnormal behavior.
- Know and be able to identify key regions of the brain and be able to apply this knowledge to understanding structure-function and (abnormal function) processing with regard to neuropsychological disorders.
- Understand and appreciate the relationship between motor control, executive processing, and behavior.
- Understand and describe the relationship between disorders of object recognition, spatial processing, and attention.
- Explain the relation between disorders of language and memory and what areas of the brain are involved in such disorders.
- Understand how the frontal lobes are involved with memory, emotion and executive functions.
- Be able to describe and explain brain plasticity during development and how such changes influence brain/behavior changes.
- Describe the developmental time course over a lifetime.
- Know brain regions involved in, and be able to differentiate between, progressive cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Discussions (25 Pts,/Week; 200 pts total) | 20% |
Quizzes (10 Pts/Week; 80 points total) | 8% |
Written Assignments (40 pts/week; 320 pts total) | 32% |
Exam 1 (Week 6; 75 points) | 7.5% |
Midterm Exam (Week 12; 75 points) | 7.5% |
Paper Part 1 (Week 10; 50 points) | 5% |
Paper Part 2 (Week 15; 100 points) | 10% |
Final Exam (Week 15; 100 points total) | 10% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle
- Banich, Marie (2018). Cognitive Neuroscience. 4th ed. New York: NY. Cambridge University Press. ISBN-10: 1-316-50790-4 or ISBN-13: 978-1-316-50790-2
Course Schedule
Week | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | Topic: Introduction to Neuropsychology
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2 | Topic: How Neurons Communicate
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3 | Topic: Methods in Cognitive Neuropsychology
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4 | Topic: Hemispheric Specialization
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5 | Topic: The Neuropsychology of Motor Control
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6 | Topic: Understanding Early Perceptual Processing
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Exam 1 | ||
7 | Topic: Object Recognition
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8 | Topic: Spatial Processing and Cognition
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9 | Topic: The Neuropsychology of Language
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10 | Topic: The Neuropsychology Memory
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11 | Topic: Attention and Executive Functions
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12 | Topic: General Cognitive Disorders
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Exam 2 | ||
13 | Topic: The Neuropsychology of Brain Plasticity
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14 | Topics: Brain Pathology and Neuropsychology
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15 | Topics: Brain Pathology and General Cognitive Disorders
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Final Exam | ||
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.