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The Cognitive Dog: Savant or Slacker
PSYC E-1091 The Cognitive Dog: Savant or Slacker (23279)
Spring term
Bruce Blumberg, PhD, Senior Scientist, Blue Fang Games.
Class times: Mondays beginning Jan. 25, 7:35-9:35 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit and undergraduate credit $950, graduate credit $1,850.
The noted psychologist Paul Bloom commented recently that "for psychologists, dogs may be the next chimpanzees." Leaving aside the question of who is happier about this, the dogs or the chimps, the fact remains that the cognitive ability of dogs has been the focus of a great deal of work recently. This course is a review and analysis of the latest work on dog development, cognition, and learning, supplemented by some of the classics and guest appearances (canine or otherwise). Topics covered include evolution and development, perception, cue learning and use, imitation and social learning, emotion, temperament, and training. Prerequisite: experience with dogs or a background in animal behavior and learning is helpful. (4 credits)