PSY3280 The neuronal basis of consciousness

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

1. 1

   In this unit, we will provide a broad view of interdisciplinary studies of the neuronal basis of consciousness. Throughout the unit, we will emphasise 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.  

2. 2

   Describe the main experimental methods to study the neural correlates of consciousness.

3. 3

   Examine one’s own conscious experience carefully and test it through various demonstrations.  

4. 4

   Critically evaluate the contribution of contemporary research findings and theories in key areas of neuroscience.

5. 5

   Describe and apply a range of research tools and paradigms used within different domains of neuroscientific research and link them to their own subjective experience.

6. 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.

7. 7

   Peer review the work of other students and receive constructive feedback.