Thinking with Representations, 6 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master Programme in Cognitive Science

Entry requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Information Systems, Informatics, Information Technology, Programming, Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, or corresponding, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen
• English and Swedish corresponding to the level of English and Swedish in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6 and Svenska 3)

Intended learning outcomes

Upon completing the course, the student should at an advanced level be able to:

• apply basic concepts from distributed cognition to design thinking
• represent alternatives in a design space and reflect on the value of these 
  representations in design
• use and develop tools and methods for representations and reflect on how the 
  tools enable and limit design thinking
• reflect on how to systematically represent complex situations on a detailed as 
  well as holistic level

Course content

The course deals with methodological knowledge in design-oriented cognitive science 
with the following content:

• different roles that representations play in design
• use of various tools and methods to plan and apply these representations in a 
  design process
• learning mechanisms through representations as well as the link between 
  representations and the knowledge they offer
• general implications of placing representations at the center of the design 
  process

Teaching and working methods

The teaching consists of lectures, teaching sessions, design assignments, and 
seminars. In addition to this, the student must perform self-learning in this course.

Examination

The course is examined by:

• written assignment in group, grading scale: UG
• active participation in seminars, grading scale: UG
• individual written assignment, grading scale: EC

For a pass in the final grade, pass on written assignment in group and active 
participation in seminars and E on the individual written assignment is 
required. Higher grades are based on the individual written assignment. 

Detailed information can be found in the study guide of the course.
 

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

Department