SES/PL 135: Topics in Philosophical Psychology
The Autistic Mind
Instructor: S. Quartz
Course Description: In this course, we examine the nature of autism. In particular, we examine the development of social cognition and the theory of mind in both the autistic and general population. Topics include diagnostic methodology of mental disorders, theory of mind, phenomenology of autistic minds, and the development of executive function. We examine these topics from a variety of perspectives including philosophy of mind, developmental cognitive neuroscience, and primate studies.
Main Text: Understanding Other Minds (UOM)
Course Requirements: Weekly 100-word summary of readings, midterm paper (2,000 words, due Feb 6), final paper (2,000 words). The class will be conducted as a seminar, so class participation is expected.
Schedule:
Week 1 January 2 Introduction
Week 2 January 9 Autism
Peter Tanguay, Pervasive Developmental Disorders
National Institute of Mental Health Overview of Autism
Chapter 1,2 UOM
Week 3 January 16 Theory of Mind, Development, and Culture
Handout (Chapter 3 of Cultural Origins of Human Cognition)
Chapter 3, 21 UOM
Week 4 January 23 Autism, Language, and Theory of Mind
Chapter 5, 6 UOM
Handout (Chapter 4 of Cultural Origins of Human Cognition)
Week 5 Jan 30 Autism and Executive Function
Chapter 7, 8, 9 UOM
Week 6 Feb 6 Neurobiological Aspects
Chapter 11, 12 UOM
Abnormal Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in Childhood Autism
Week 7 Feb 13 Neurobiological Aspects
Chapter 14, 15 UOM
Week 8 Feb 20 Clinical Aspects
Chapter 16, 17, 18 UOM
Week 9 Feb 27 NO CLASS
Week 10 Mar 6