Cognitive Science 0233 - Fictional Worlds

This course explores how writers and readers create fictional worlds. Drawing from philosophy, linguistics, psychology, and other cognitive sciences, we will investigate individually and collaboratively questions such as: What is creativity? What is a narrative and how do we determine the genre of creative work? What makes an artwork complete? How do audiences use imagination to (re)create fictional worlds? We will also investigate why and how we fear and suffer with fictional characters, and whether there are limits to our capacities to imagine empathetically. We will be reading and discussing primary research articles, fiction, and other narrative forms. Students will be expected to do both creative and analytic writing towards developing independent projects. Students who are interested in philosophy or cognitive science or creative writing/film/dance/clownery are especially welcome to enroll; an interest in working at the intersections is required.

Mind, Brain, and Information Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Quantitative Skills Students are expected to spend approximately 8 hours of preparation and work outside of class time.