PSY3280 · The neuronal basis of consciousness

Overview

In this unit, we will provide a broad view of interdisciplinary studies of the neuronal basis of consciousness. Throughout the unit, we will emphasize a triangulation approach: A) conscious experience per se (phenomenology), B) clinical and experimental facts about neuronal basis of consciousness and C) theories and models of consciousness that facilitate our understanding of A and B. While the lectures range from one’s own perceptual experience (e.g., vision), loss of consciousness (e.g., deep sleep), cognitive processes (e.g., attention, working memory, decision making), the triangulation approach will unify the themes across the topics. By the end of the unit, you will be equipped with critical thinking skills, which are grounded by first-hand experience (to be provided by various first-person experience demonstrations in the lectures), supplemented by evidence-based rational thoughts.

Areas of study: Psychology Psychological science

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Apply a triangulated approach to critically evaluate conscious experience, clinical and experimental facts about neuronal basis of consciousness and theories and models of consciousness.
2. Describe the main experimental methods to study the neural correlates of consciousness.
3. Examine one’s own conscious experience carefully and test it through various demonstrations.
4. Critically evaluate the contribution of contemporary research findings and theories in key areas of neuroscience.
5. Appraise a range of research tools and paradigms used within different domains of neuroscientific research and link them to their own subjective experience.
6. Design a creative and empirical way to build on previous research to study a particular aspect of consciousness, based on both their own subjective experience and theories/models taught.

Workload

2 hours of seminars per week. 2 hours of tutorials 9 times per semester. Induction tutorial: 1 hour in Week 1 of semester Preparation: 8 hours background reading/preparation for seminars, tutorials and assessment tasks per week. Attendance at tutorials is recommended in order to successfully complete in-class activities and related assessment tasks.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.