Minor Culture and Cognition

Have you ever wondered what it is that allows humans to create (a) culture? Or in what respect human cognition and culture may be different from those of other mammals and primates? This minor unveils the cognitive aspects of human culture, and follows the evolution of human cognition from its earliest forms to the modern mind.

The study of culture from the perspective of cognition is an evolving field in the present academic world. There are many ways of studying this; the Groningen minor is unique in combining the neurological aspect with courses that are focused on diverse cultural fields.

The courses are taught by a team of teachers who are professionals in either the study of culture or cognition.

The program consists of the following courses:

Block A
The Evolution of Human Culture (10 EC, block 1a) LBA017B10 An obligatory introductory course, based on the solid and comprehensive work of the neuroscientist Merlin Donald and other cognitive archeologists.
Biology of Cognition (5 EC, block 1a) LBA029B05 An obligatory introductory course about the biological basis of human cognition, and the evolution of the nervous system and the human brain.
Block B
Art and Cognition (5 EC, block 1b) LBA026B05 This course offers an introduction into the cognitive perspective on art. It focuses on the evolution of cognitive processes underlying art experience, on the development of this human capacity, and on its possible functions drawing from both everyday cases and clinical cases that make use of different art therapies such as music therapy; dance therapy; visual/tactile therapy; drama therapy; and writing therapy.
Narratives We Live By (5 EC, block 1b) LBA020B05 This course provides knowledge on narrative construction taking cognitive processes into account focusing on memory. The course emphasizes the constructed nature of narratives and culture(s), their multifaceted appearances in different periods and loci. By focusing on ancient and present cultures this course reflects in which ways basic narratives of human reality are still relevant today.
Empirical Aesthetics (5 EC, block 1b) This course first provides a theoretical background on the study of empirical aesthetics and neuroaesthetics. Focusing on the study of emotion and perception, it offers an overview of the methods used to measure these processes. The course finalizes with an excursion to the laboratory where students design a new experiment and work together on a final presentation.

You can either follow a 15 ECTS package (block 1a), or the complete minor of 30 ECTS (blocks 1a/1b). The courses in the second block build on the first block. Students following the complete minor have precedence when enrolling.

Students have to register for either the 15 ECTS package (block 1a), or the complete minor of 30 ECTS (blocks 1a/1b) via Progress. More information about the enrolment procedure.

For more information please contact the Minor coordinator: Dr. Wah

Minor Culture and Cognition

Last modified:

21 March 2025 4.34 p.m.