course title
Language, Memory and Attention

instructors
Shravan Vasishth and Pavel Logacev

dates and location
Tuesdays and Thursdays 1015-1145, Golm campus, Haus 24, room 2.54

what this course is about
As the title suggests, we will study the connection between language, memory and attention. The goal is to provide students with a solid knowledge about the current work connecting these three areas of cognitive science.

prerequisites
This course is for fourth semester undergraduates in the linguistics program.

grading
Grading will be based on completing homework assignments, student presentations, class participation, and a written final exam. Class participation refers to asking good questions in class.
Final scores will be based on the following mapping described in the Studienordnung: 95-100%=1,0 (A);90-94=1,3 (A-);85-89=1,7 (B+);80-84=2,0 (B);75-79=2,3 (B-);70-74=2,7 (C+);65-69=3,0 (C);60-64=3,3 (C-);55-59=3,7 (D+);50-54=4,0 (D);45-49=5,0 (F). If a student's score falls between the cracks, it will be treated as falling in the higher bin.
Students are expected to attend class regularly. If a class is missed, the student is responsible for finding out what the assignment was, what readings were assigned, and what material was covered.


conduct in the classroom
  • Please do not engage in private conversations during class.
  • All cell phones must be switched off (except by permission from me).
  • Please do not walk into class after it starts, unless you have a really good reason to be late (example: Deutsche Bahn screwed up yet again). 10:15 is the deadline to be ready for class.
  • Questions to the instructors are actively encouraged.


  • readings (will be provided)
  • Excerpts from the psychology of attention, Pashler
  • Excerpts from Attention, Perception, and Memory, Styles
  • Articles: to be provided on moodle.

    rough schedule
    Please sign up on moodle (here) to get the reading material, slides, assignments, etc. Please note that there is NO CLASS during the first week: April 20th and 22nd.

    part dates slides, readings main instructor
    Part 1: Memory April 27-May 25 (8 lectures) to be provided on moodle Shravan
    May 18 Lewandowsky et al 1 Isabelle
    May 18 Lewandowsky et al 2 Karim
    May 20 Lewandowsky et al 3 Alexandra
    May 20 Berman et al 4 Jennifer
    May 20 Miller 5 Maria Pfeiffer
    Part 2: Attention May 25-June 17 Pavel
    Part 3: Language, Memory and Attention June 22 Pavel and Shravan