We experience the world not only in terms of its physical structure, but also in terms of a wide range of 'aesthetic' qualities such as pleasantness, orderliness, usability, attractiveness, and beauty. Experimental psychologists have been captivated by such phenomena for as long as there has been an experimental psychology, and the result is an incredibly rich and eclectic scientific literature on aesthetics, which is home to many lively debates and intriguing demonstrations. In this course we will discuss most of the major cognitive/psychological theories of aesthetics. We will also go deeper by conducting our own experiments in a series of intensive (sometimes multi-week) lab exercises. In order to partake in the fun of experimental research, we’ll need to learn how to program experiments and manipulate visual stimuli using the python programming language. (Prior programming experience isn't required. Students may work in a different language if they prefer.) Those with their own design/art practice will have the opportunity to also conduct parallel experiments using media of their choice. Prerequisites: Prerequisite: One Lang fundamentals course, or ULEC 2160, Introduction to Psychology with a grade of C or higher. *