Hey all! I'm Batu. I'm a '26 from Istanbul, Turkey, and I am passionate about the cognitive science of design, developmental psychology, aesthetics research, postcolonial literature, and social media marketing! Be sure to reach out with questions about exploring the liberal arts, learning a new language at Dartmouth, cafes in town (one of my favorite blog series dare I say), study abroad programs, and research on campus!
Writing 5 is one of the courses that count towards the first-year writing requirement. The course covered content relating to the self, transformation, and social dynamics relating to majority and minority. Dr. Godley is simply phenomenal. Her instruction was extremely accessible even though she covered intense topics. I could not have enjoyed my Writing 5 more!
Design Thinking was above and beyond my expectations. The course is structured around weekly projects, where we apply different cognitive strategies to cover topics like design principles, human need-finding, brainstorming, scenario building, and visual thinking.
Introduction to Cognitive Science covers a variety of fields including psychology, computer science, linguistics, and philosophy to provide insight into cognitive processes. This course helped me develop an understanding of all facets of cognitive science and which ones I would be interested in further pursuing as part of my major.
SummerIstanbul, Turkey
I was home during my first summer! A non-exhaustive list of things I've done includes sunbathing, coding my personal blog, and going on runs. #rest #relaxation
Psychology 10 is a deep dive into almost everything you might need to become well-versed in conducting research, analyzing data, and interpreting findings in a statistically sound manner. Professor Pfister is the most approachable professor I have ever had the pleasure of learning from. Statistics isn't exactly my forté, but I now feel confident in my stats foundation!
I loved taking this class with Madame Alverde, a professor from Université Toulouse ; Jean Jaures was an incredible experience. She made sure to correct our mistakes on the spot and improve them eloquently.
This course allowed me to explore the intersection of aesthetics and digital media, focusing on how digital environments reshape traditional concepts like materiality and form. I particularly enjoyed comparing human and AI-generated analyses of art and examining the frameworks that shape contemporary digital studies, from visual culture to design philosophy.
SummerHanover, NH
I was on campus pursuing full-time research in the Cognitive Science department. My research focuses on children's capacity to imagine and reason about possibilities!
After a term of research and being on a more spontaneous schedule, I am excited to take classes in my junior fall. Here are the classes I'm taking this fall, a little bit about the content, and why I'm taking them.
My last intro course at Dartmouth! LING 1, like most intro courses at Dartmouth, aims to provide exposure to various areas of the field of study (linguistics in this case). We started learning the International Phonetic Alphabet, analyzing sounds, and are now moving into how words and sentences are structured. I am blown away by how good of an instructor Professor Pulju is. He holds office hours three times a week, and I often go, even without specific questions, to be in his vicinity and hear about the fascinating projects he's working on. This course is one of the foundation courses for the Cognitive Science Major. I must admit that linguistics was a facet of cognitive science I was hesitant to pursue, so I delayed taking it until now. However, the more I learn, the more excited I am about the content.
Since I'm hoping to pursue the honors thesis track in my senior year, I wanted to take the seminar in junior fall to help prepare for the thesis process. Each week, we focus on a different area of cognitive science, read relevant papers, and attend lectures from researchers at different stages of their careers. We also get time to ask them about their research paths and interests, which is invaluable as I begin thinking about my future in cognitive science.
My first film course at Dartmouth (yay)! After taking photography last spring, I wanted to branch out and explore more media. FILM 42.19 is cross-listed with Middle Eastern Studies and Jewish Studies. Each week, we explore a sociopolitical phenomenon in the Middle East, watching two films and reading one to two papers. Professor Simon's experience in media work during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution makes the material even more profound.
Junior fall has me busy, but I'm loving every second!
As a Digital Media Student Director for Dartmouth's First-Generation Office, it is my role on campus to amplify first-gen voices, foster community, and create meaningful connections through creative outreach.
This fall, Dartmouth provided me with incredible opportunities to get involved in politics. I registered as a New Hampshire voter, joined civic organizations, canvassed, and more! Read on to follow my journey leading up to Election Day!
Some of my rising senior friends from New York have been in contact with me since graduation, and I've compiled a list of FAQs that might help you better understand life at Dartmouth!
