Program Overview

Program Overview

The Bachelor's program in Cognition, Language and Communication offers students a broad, integrated, and multidisciplinary approach to human cognition in relation to language and communication. The program focuses on:

• The human language ability as a cognitive function and its relationships with other cognitive functions, such as logical reasoning, memory, 'Theory of Mind', calculation, and music.
• The human ability to communicate adequately and effectively in various situations and using different means.

Program Structure

The program is characterized as a multidisciplinary program where cognitive scientists, linguists, and communication scientists work together to create a curriculum focused on research questions in the field of the human mind and its relationship with language and communication.

First Year

In the first year, students are placed in the position of researchers and become familiar with the content and practical aspects of research. Students learn how to formulate a research question, which research methods are available, how to set up a data collection, and how to find an answer to their question using (mainly) quantitative analyses. Students also learn to present their research results orally and in writing, to collaborate, plan, etc.

Second Year

In the second year, students choose a package of courses from another program, such as psychology, psychobiology, artificial intelligence, linguistics, communication science, philosophy, music science, or Dutch language and culture. This package offers a different perspective and allows students to develop an interdisciplinary view of human cognition. The course "Philosophy of the Humanities (Language and Cognition)" provides a philosophical framework for this. Students strengthen and exchange perspectives in the joint courses "Research Papers in Cognition, Language and Communication 1 and 2." Furthermore, students expand their research skills ("Research Project 2, Computational Methods") and learn to apply their knowledge and skills in practice ("Knowledge Application").

Third Year

The third year is largely devoted to bound and unbound electives, allowing students to profile themselves. Students meet their fellow students in the course "Cognitive Modelling" in block 1 and in "Advanced Statistics" in block 4. Those who want to go abroad can plan this best for the first semester of the third year.

Program Details

• Program Type: Bachelor
• Study Load: 180 EC
• Duration: 3 years
• Language of Instruction: Dutch
• Program Form: Full-time

The program is strongly research-oriented, and students are introduced to the position of researcher from the first year. The program aims to provide students with a broad, integrated, and multidisciplinary approach to human cognition in relation to language and communication.