PSY3280 The neuronal basis of consciousness

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.