In what ways can we consider animals social? What's a "pecking order"? How do animals communicate without language, or with limited cognitive faculties? Come learn about current research going on at Columbia, why animal research is awesome, and what animal systems can teach us about the evolution of complex behavior.

Why do some animals perform "self-sacrificing" behaviors? How can evolution select for behaviors that seem to be a detriment to reproductive success? We will consider cases like sterile worker bees, sexual cannibalism in spiders, and how naked mole rats act like ants.

Cognitive illusions are the result of the shortcuts our brains make while interpreting incoming information and making decisions. This class focuses on very compelling cognitive illusions centered on judgment. decision making, and self-perception. This course will be independent of the first cognitive illusions course, so feel free to sign up for either one or both classes!

Cognitive illusions are the result of the shortcuts our brains make while interpreting incoming information and making decisions. This class focuses on very compelling cognitive illusions centered on memory, perception, and attention. This course will be independent of the second cognitive illusions course, so feel free to sign up for either one or both classes!

Cognitive illusions are the result of the shortcuts our brains make while interpreting incoming information and making decisions. This class focuses on very compelling cognitive illusions centered on memory, perception, and attention. This course will be independent of the second cognitive illusions course, so feel free to sign up for either one or both classes!

Cognitive illusions are the result of the shortcuts our brains make while interpreting incoming information and making decisions. This class focuses on very compelling cognitive illusions centered on judgment. decision making, and self-perception. This course will be independent of the first cognitive illusions course, so feel free to sign up for either one or both classes!

Your brain uses shortcuts to make decisions quickly, but sometimes those shortcuts can trick you. If you liked the show Brain Games, this class is for you. Come ready to participate and change your perspective on the world!

Can you trust what you see? How reliable is your intuition? Does being "smart" mean that you can see through these illusions? The shortcuts we use to quickly interpret the world we perceive can betray us, and the extent to which perception is fallible. Come ready to participate, discuss, and have fun!