Christoph Hölscher: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2023 |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Christoph Hölscher |
| Field | Cognitive Science |
| Address | Chair of Cognitive Science ETH Zürich, RZ E 23 Clausiusstrasse 59 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 632 31 96 |
| choelsch@ethz.ch | |
| Department | Humanities, Social and Political Sciences |
| Relationship | Full Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 363-1162-00L | Resilience in the New Age of Risk | 3 credits | 2V | H. Schernberg, C. Hölscher, J. Jörin, G. Sansavini | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | With the global increase in interconnectivity, the potential for disruption is everywhere. Modern organisations who build resilience in all systems will respond intelligently to emergent disruptions. This course explores the concept of resilience and its application to socio-technical systems: The resilience of infrastructure systems and how individuals and social groups interact in and with them. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | After taking this course, you will be able to: - Discuss the concept of resilience and related frameworks and concepts, and explain their relevance in different contexts (organizations, infrastructure, social groups…). - Use and discuss key resilience metrics and use them to analyze infrastructure systems. - Discuss the role of organizational resilience and describe methods to improve it. - Describe how resilience is applied in practice. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Our increasingly complex and connected systems face continuously emerging disruptions. Resilience constitutes a fundamental departure from the philosophy of risk-management. With resilience, stakeholders adopt risk mitigation strategies aligned to the theories of complex systems. It is, however, difficult to learn about resilience, since it applies to an extremely large array of systems and contexts. Moreover, the topic of resilience is surprisingly absent from most university curricula. This course fills a gap and walks you through a mode of thinking that is bound to shape the way risks and disasters are dealt with in our increasingly connected society. Hence, tomorrow's risk managers will and shall also be "resilience managers". This course breaks down the concept of complex systems and their resilience. It introduces some of the different flavors of resilience and provides tools for building it in various socially relevant areas (social resilience, engineered systems resilience, organizational resilience...). The course is divided in 4 parts. - Part 1: Foundations of Resilience (2 hours) - Part 2: Resilience Analysis: Infrastructure Systems (12 hours) - Part 3: Organizational resilience and sensemaking (6 hours) - Part 4: Resilience in Practice (4 hours) Part 1 introduces the concept of resilience, and the framework in which it is applied. The distinction between resilience and risk management is highlighted, as well as how these approaches complement each other. The founding concepts of resilience are explained and illustrated: vulnerability, disruption, absorption, recovery, adaptation, etc. Part 2 walks you through the analysis of the resilience of infrastructure systems. It introduces the useful metrics of resilience. It provides examples of building resilience into complex systems, by increasing the robustness and recoverability of systems, and reducing vulnerabilities. Finally, students will explore the optimization of infrastructure systems. Part 3. Every system subject to potential disruptions is managed by a human organization. Sensemaking describes how humans frame the problem. It is a process whereby organizational actors attach meaning to external events to resolve the uncertainty surrounding them. Investing in mindfulness improves personal and organizational resilience and success. Finally, the management of organizational resilience is discussed. Part 4 will provide examples of the use of resilience by practitioners, with guest speakers from the public and private sector. This course is aimed at MSc and MAS students, from MTEC and other departments. Ideally, students have a quantitative background and some knowledge of risk management. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | The Science and Practice of Resilience, Book by Benjamin D. Trump and Igor Linkov | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | This course is in-person and will be recorded. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Competencies |
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| 364-1058-00L | Risk Center Seminar Series | 0 credits | 2S | H. Schernberg, D. Basin, A. Bommier, D. N. Bresch, S. Brusoni, L.‑E. Cederman, P. Cheridito, F. Corman, H. Gersbach, C. Hölscher, K. Paterson, G. Sansavini, B. Stojadinovic, B. Sudret, J. Teichmann, R. Wattenhofer, S. Wiemer, R. Zenklusen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course is a mixture between a seminar primarily for PhD and postdoc students and a colloquium involving invited speakers. It consists of presentations and subsequent discussions in the area of modeling complex socio-economic systems and crises. Students and other guests are welcome. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Participants should learn to get an overview of the state of the art in the field, to present it in a well understandable way to an interdisciplinary scientific audience, to develop novel mathematical models for open problems, to analyze them with computers, and to defend their results in response to critical questions. In essence, participants should improve their scientific skills and learn to work scientifically on an internationally competitive level. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | This course is a mixture between a seminar primarily for PhD and postdoc students and a colloquium involving invited speakers. It consists of presentations and subsequent discussions in the area of modeling complex socio-economic systems and crises. For details of the program see the webpage of the colloquium. Students and other guests are welcome. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | There is no script, but a short protocol of the sessions will be sent to all participants who have participated in a particular session. Transparencies of the presentations may be put on the course webpage. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Literature will be provided by the speakers in their respective presentations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Participants should have relatively good mathematical skills and some experience of how scientific work is performed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 851-0252-01L | Human-Computer Interaction: Cognition and Usability  Particularly suitable for students of D-ARCH, D-INFK, D-ITET. | 3 credits | 2S | C. Hölscher, I. Barisic, B. Davison | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This seminar will introduce key topics, theories and methodology in human-computer interaction (HCI) and usability, with a focus on applying them to real situations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Presentations will cover the basics of human-computer interaction and selected topics: ● History of HCI ● Research ethics ● Literature reviews ● Participant-free methods: cognitive walkthrough and heuristic evaluation ● Card sorting and information architecture ● Usability studies ● Unmoderated research and diary studies ● Surveys ● User Logs and metric frameworks On a weekly basis, students will conduct authentic research in class covering the topics above. They will submit their in-class research results regularly and also present their findings to the class once per semester. The final project demonstrates class topic adoption by deeply exploring one HCI problem using the covered methods and tools. Students will choose a research topic and execute their research plan. They will individually write a formal report including problem definition, literature review, methodology, findings and discussion. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 851-0252-04L | Behavioral Studies Colloquium | 1 credit | 2K | E. Cross, U. Brandes, D. Helbing, C. Hölscher, M. Kapur, C. Stadtfeld, E. Stern, V. Zimmermann | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This colloquium offers an opportunity to discuss recent and ongoing research and scientific ideas in the behavioral sciences, both at the micro- and macro-levels of cognitive, behavioral and social science. The colloquium features invited presentations from internal and external researchers as well as presentations of doctoral students close to submitting their dissertation research plan. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Participants are informed about recent and ongoing research in different branches of the behavioral sciences. Presenting doctoral students obtain feedback on their dissertation research plan. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | This colloquium offers an opportunity to discuss recent and ongoing research and scientific ideas in the behavioral sciences, both at the micro- and macro-levels of cognitive, behavioral and social science. It covers a broad range of areas, including theoretical as well as empirical research in social psychology, research on higher education, sociology, modeling and simulation in sociology, decision theory and behavioral game theory, economics, research on learning and instruction, cognitive psychology and cognitive science. The colloquium features invited presentations from internal and external researchers as well as presentations of doctoral students close to submitting their dissertation research plan. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | https://sbs.ethz.ch/education.html | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 851-0252-05L | Research Seminar Cognitive Science Prerequisite: Participants should be involved in research in the cognitive science group. | 2 credits | 2S | C. Hölscher, S. Andraszewicz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The colloquium provides a forum for researchers and graduate students in cognitive science to present/discuss their ongoing projects as well as jointly discuss current publications in cognitive science and related fields. A subset of the sessions will include invited external visitors presenting their research. Participants of this colloquium are expected to be involved in active research group. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Graduate student train and improve their presentation skills based on their own project ideas, all participants stay informed on current trends in the field and have the opportunity for networking with invited scholars. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 851-0252-08L | Evidence-Based Design: Methods and Tools for Evaluating Architectural Design Does not take place this semester. Particularly suitable for students of D-ARCH. | 3 credits | 2S | C. Hölscher | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Students are taught a variety of analytic techniques that can be used to evaluate architectural design. The concept of evidence-based design is introduced, and complemented with theoretical background on space syntax and spatial cognition. This is a project-oriented course, students implement a range of methods on a sample project. The course is tailored for architecture design students. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The course aims to teach students how to evaluate a design project from the perspective of the end user. The concept of evidence-based design is introduced through a series of case studies. Students are given a theoretical background in space syntax and spatial cognition, with a view to applying this knowledge during the design process. The course covers a range of methods including visibility analysis, network analysis, conducting real-world observations, and virtual reality for architectural design. Students apply these methods to a case study of their choice, which can be at building or urban scale. For students taking a B-ARCH or M-ARCH degree, this can be a completed or ongoing design studio project. The course gives students the chance to implement the methods iteratively and explore how best to address the needs of the eventual end-user during the design process. The course is tailored for students studying for B-ARCH and M-ARCH degrees. As an alternative to obtaining D-GESS credit, architecture students can obtain course credit in "Vertiefungsfach" or "Wahlfach". | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 851-0252-10L | Project in Behavioural Finance Particularly suitable for students of D-MTEC. | 3 credits | 2S | S. Andraszewicz, C. Hölscher, A. C. Roberts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | In this seminar, students will study cognitive processes, behaviour and the underlying biological response to financial decisions. Research methods such as asset market experiments, lottery games, risk preference assessment, psychometrics, neuroimaging and psychophysiology of decision processes will be discussed. Financial bubbles and crashes will be the core interest. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | This course has four main goals: 1) To learn about the most important topics within Behavioural Finance 2) To learn to effectively select, review and present information using modern telecommunication tools 3) To practice working on group projects in hybrid working conditions (online + in-person) 4) To solve an applied behavioral finance business case stemming from an industry partner | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The course does not contain mandatory reading. Instead, it offers suggested literature that provides guidance to the students who, prepare a presentation on core topics in behavioral finance. The point of this exercise is to critically select the most relevant information on a given topic and present to non-expert educated colleagues. At the same time, the audience learns about the key topics in behavioral finance. Every session involves a discussion moderated and supported by the lecturers. Throughout the semester, students work on solutions to real business cases stemming from a company partner. They can receive feedback and guidance from project leaders of the industry partner and from the academic supervisors. In the final meeting of the semester, students pitch solutions to their business cases. The course takes place entirely online. The objective is to prepare the students for the future work in online and hybrid arrangements. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Students from all domains of ETH and all levels of education are welcome in the course. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 851-0253-08L | Advanced Topics in Evidence-Based Design for Architecture Does not take place this semester. Course requirements: Completion of the course Evidence-Based Design: Methods and Tools For Evaluating Architectural Design (851-0252-08L). | 3 credits | 2U | C. Hölscher | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Students will gain advanced knowledge and practical hands-on experience with agent-based simulations and spatial analysis tools to evaluate hospital layouts from the perspective of end-users. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Students will build on their previous projects as part of the course “ Evidence-Based Design: Methods and Tools For Evaluating Architectural Design” (851-0252-08L). Students enrolled will participate in an international workshop with GSAPP at Columbia University Designing the post-pandemic hospital with evidence. for people. The course is funded by an ETH innvoedum project entitled cogARCH: linking cognition and architecture to design resilient hospitals architecture. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||