Victor Schinazi: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2016

Name Dr. Victor Schinazi
URLhttps://www.vrschinazi.com/
DepartmentHumanities, Social and Political Sciences
RelationshipLecturer

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
851-0252-00LApplied Cognitive Science Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 100
3 credits2VC. Hölscher, V. Schinazi, T. Thrash
AbstractCognitive Science characterizes human cognition (perception, thinking, memory, learning) as information processing. We will show how it can contribute to analyzing user behavior, usability and design. This course offers an overview of how cognitive science can be applied to real-world domains, particularly the design of information systems, other software applications and digital devices.
ObjectiveCognitive Science views human cognition as information processing and integrates approaches from cognitive psychology, informatics (e.g., artificial intelligence), neuroscience and anthropology among others. In the field of applied cognitive science this is further connected to human factors and engineering psychology. This course aims to provide a human-centered perspective on the design of (digital) workplaces, software and Internet services. We will start with an overview of the basics of human information processing (perception, thinking & reasoning, memory, learning) and then apply the repertory of cognitive science theory and methods to a range of applications. The focus is on adapting technical systems to the capabilities and limitations of human cognition and anticipating user errors in the design process. The participants will be familiarized with analytic methods (task analysis, cognitive walkthrough, heuristics) as well as observation methods (usability testing in the lab and in the field). Computational modeling of user behavior will be introduced (CTA, GOMS, ACT-R). Participants will learn about applying a cognitive science perspective to areas such as computer-based learning (intelligent tutoring systems), adaptive interfaces (e.g. recommender systems), search engines, design tools. We will also discuss how humans mentally represent and process spatial information with consequences for designing mobile devices, navigations support or public buildings (e.g. airports, hospitals).
851-0252-03LCognition in Architecture - Designing Orientation and Navigation for Building Users Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 40
Particularly suitable for students of D-ARCH
3 credits2SV. Schinazi, B. Emo Nax, C. Hölscher
AbstractHow can Behavioral and Cognitive Science inform architecture? This project-oriented seminar investigates contributions of cognition to architectural design, with an emphasis on orientation & navigation in complex buildings and urban settings. This includes theories about spatial memory and decision-making as well as hands-on observation of behavior in real settings and virtual reality simulation.
ObjectiveTaking the perspectives of the building users (occupants and visitors) is vital for a human-centered design approach. Students will learn about relevant theory and methods in cognitive science and environmental psychology that can be used to address human cognitive and behavioral needs in built environments. The foundations of environmental psychology and human spatial cognition will be introduced. A focus of the seminar will be on how people perceive their surroundings, how they orient in a building, how they memorize the environment and how they find they way from A to B. Students will learn about a range of methods including real-world observation, virtual reality experiments, eye-tracking and behavior simulation in design. Students will reflect the roles of designers and other stakeholders with respect to human-centered design as well as an evidence-based design perspective. The seminar is geared towards a mix of students from architecture / planning, engineering, computer science and behavioral science as well as anybody interested in the relation between design and cognition. Architecture students can obtain course credit in Vertiefungsfach" or "Wahlfach".
851-0252-04LBehavioral Studies Colloquium Information Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 50
2 credits2KC. Hölscher, H.‑D. Daniel, A. Diekmann, D. Helbing, V. Schinazi, R. Schubert, C. Stadtfeld, E. Stern
AbstractThis colloquium offers an opportunity for students to discuss their ongoing research and scientific ideas in the behavioral sciences, both at the micro- and macro-levels of cognitive, behavioral and social science. It also offers an opportunity for students from other disciplines to discuss their research ideas in relation to behavioral science. The colloquium also features invited research talks.
ObjectiveStudents know and can apply autonomously up-to-date investigation methods and techniques in the behavioral sciences. They achieve the ability to develop their own ideas in the field and to communicate their ideas in oral presentations and in written papers. The credits will be obtained by a written report of approximately 10 pages.
ContentThis colloquium offers an opportunity for students to discuss their ongoing research and scientific ideas in the behavioral sciences, both at the micro- and macro-levels of cognitive, behavioral and social science. It also offers an opportunity for students from other disciplines to discuss their ideas in so far as they have some relation to behavioral science. The possible research areas are wide and may include theoretical as well as empirical approaches in Social Psychology and Research on Higher Education, Sociology, Modeling and Simulation in Sociology, Decision Theory and Behavioral Game Theory, Economics, Research on Learning and Instruction, Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Science. Ideally the students (from Bachelor, Master, Ph.D. and Post-Doc programs) have started to start work on their thesis or on any other term paper.
Course credit can be obtained either based on a talk in the colloquium plus a written essay, or by writing an essay about a topic related to one of the other talks in the course. Students interested in giving a talk should contact the course organizers (Schinazi, Hoelscher) before the first session of the semester. Priority will be given to advanced / doctoral students for oral presentations. The course credits will be obtained by a written report of approximately 10 pages. The colloquium also serves as a venue for invited talks by researchers from other universities and institutions related to behavioral and social sciences.
851-0252-05LResearch Colloquium Cognitive Science Restricted registration - show details
Prerequisite: Participants should be involved in research in the cognitive science group.
1 credit2KC. Hölscher, V. Schinazi, T. Thrash
AbstractThe colloquium provides a forum for researchers and graduate students in cognitive science to present/discuss their ongoing projects as well as jointly discuss current publications in cognitive science and related fields. A subset of the sessions will include invited external visitors presenting their research. Participants of this colloquium are expected to be involved in active research group.
ObjectiveGraduate student train and improve their presentation skills based on their own project ideas, all participants stay informed on current trends in the field and have the opportunity for networking with invited scholars.