Foundations of speech sciences

Learning outcomes at the level of the programme to which the course contributes

• Design and conduct an interdisciplinary research project in cognitive science.
• Apply specific knowledge and skills from selected disciplines constituting cognitive science.
• Integrate insights, methods, and levels of analysis across different disciplines into a unified framework for understanding the human mind and cognition in general.
• Apply interdisciplinary approach in examining phenomena pertaining to cognition.
• Employ diverse disciplinary tools in exploring and describing the nature of cognitive processes.
• Plan and track personal professional growth.

Course content (syllabus)

1. L:Determination of the speech phenomenon. Multidisciplinary approaches to speech phenomenon.
   S: Guidelines, research reader presentation etc.
   E: Visit of the speech research laboratories.
2. L:Traditional and contemporary approaches to speech research. Language and speech.
   S: Class discussion: principles of phonetics.
   E: Tools for speech analysis.
3. L: Acoustic analysis of speech – parameters.
   S: Class discussion: What is measured in speech.
   E: Recording of speech signal.
4. L: Speech perception.
   S: Class discussion about research topics in speech perception.
   E: Experimenting with speech perception.
5. L: Auditory cognitive framework
   S: Class discussion about the need of Auditory cognitive framework.
   E: Assessment of hearing and listening.
6. L: Psychoacoustics
   S: Class discussion about psychoacoustic influence on the quality of life.
   E: Demonstration of psychoacoustic phenomena.
7. L: Research questions in speech perception.
   S: Class discussion on connection between speech perception and new technologies
   E: Objective and subjective methods of hearing assessment.
8. L: Speech production
   S: Class discussion on speech production.
   E: Motor ability of vocal tract – exercises.
9. L: Instrumental methods and techniques in speech production research.
   S: Class discussion on application of instrumental methods in speech production – advantages and disadvantages.
   E: Demonstrations of instrumental techniques.
10. L: Research questions in speech production.
    S: Class discussion of current topics in speech production.
    E: Instrumental methods and techniques – application in research and practice.
11. L: Speech development – perceptual categories, representations, and vocabulary.
    S: Class discussion on perceptual development.
    E: Measuring perceptual and vocabulary development.
12. L: Speech development – development and alignment of motor and cognitive skills.
    S: Class discussion on dynamic systems interaction during speech development.
    E: Case study.
13. L: Research questions in speech development.
    S: Class discussion on current research questions.
    E: Case study (2)
14. L: Speech and hearing disorders.
    S: Class discussion on auditory processing.
    E: Case study (3)
15. L: Use of technology in speech and hearing disorders – diagnosis and intervention.
    S: Class discussion od hearing aids and speech supporting technologies.
    E: Demonstration of hearing aids use.