Nora Isacoff

I learned a survey of psychological concepts

Readings every week + discussion posts the day before class. One in-class presentation. A final essay in stages (proposal, draft, in-class presentation of topic, final draft). Very manageable. Make sure to participate in class.

I think that every student at Columbia should take this course, regardless of their major or background. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Spring 2024 Course: PSYCGU4612_002_2024_1-FrontiersofJustice : PSYCGU4612_002_2024_1 - Frontiers of Justice Instructor: Peter Dixon

I would absolutely recommend this course! Anyone with a background in psychology, cognitive science, or linguistics would enjoy and benefit from the material, and would be able to actively participate and contribute to class discussions. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2023 Course: PSYCGU4244_001_2023_3-LANGUAGEANDMIND : PSYCGU4244_001_2023_3 - LANGUAGE AND MIND Instructor: Nora Isacoff

This class is a very basic overview of general psychology concepts. You begin with core concepts and the history of psychology, progressing through to research methods, neuroscience, perception, attention, consciousness, memory, learning, emotion and motivation, language, decision making, intelligence, development, personality, social psych, and finally to clinical psych. You do not go super in depth in terms of the content, considering there is a lot that is covered. But overall, strongly reflects an AP psych sort of curriculum.

Very much a seminar in that it is almost entirely student-led. She introduces the topic week one, then every other week is a paper or two presented by a classmate and discussed as a group. The topic is obviously fascinating, but I would have liked a bit more 'expert' guidance rather than reliance exclusively on what comes up organically at the table (to be fair, though, this has been a problem that's plagued a number of psych seminars, so maybe a department issue). That being said, she is incredibly friendly and kind and encouraging and happy to meet to discuss things more in-depth during OHs. She also has little to no pretension at all - approaches things with an open mind and from a very personal, almost anecdotal level.

If you want a relatively easy good grade with an interesting topic, go for it. If you are truly set on understanding language and mind, reconsider. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2021 Course: PSYCGU4244_001_2021_3-LANGUAGEANDMIND : PSYCGU4244_001_2021_3 - LANGUAGE AND MIND Instructor: Nora Isacoff

I learned a lot of psychology topics such as perception, consciousness, memory, neuroscience, personality, development, decision-making, etc.

discussion posts every week, final paper, presentation 1 time. its not the amount of work but really the quality, just submit thoughtful discussion posts and talk in class and make a good cohesive interesting paper and youre golden.

Very general overview of psychological concepts, e.g. perception, cognition, very basic neuro, basic clinical.