APSB21736U Elective course - The Feeling of Being: Theoretical and Empirical Approaches to the Neuroscientific Study of Human Consciousness
This course introduces the main theoretical models and the empirical methods employed to explain and measure consciousness. Students are offered the opportunity to learn about the neurobiological mechanisms possibly underlying the emergence of consciousness and to grasp why science needs to embrace also conceptual and philosophical levels of analysis. The course outlines the multi-faceted nature of consciousness by discussing different aspects of the phenomenon in normal as well as in abnormal conditions. Students are encouraged throughout the course to actively participate in discussions and to make critical thinking regarding the current state of knowledge about how the brain relates to the mind.
The following topics will be covered during the course:
Theme 1: Framing consciousness
- What do we mean by ‘conscious’?
- The hard vs. the easy problem
- Mapping different aspects of consciousness
- Consciousness and Accessibility
Theme 2: Theoretical Approaches to the study of consciousness
- Globalist vs. localist models
- Theories: Baars; Damasio; Zeki; Tononi; Lamme; Edelman; Carrara-Augustenborg
- The emergence of consciousness and the problem of binding
- Understanding consciousness from the social psychology perspective
Theme 3: Methodological challenges
- Objective and Subjective assessments of consciousness
- Consciousness and Emotions
- Disorders of consciousness: coma, vegetative states, locked-in syndrome
- Anesthesia and brain default network
Theme 4: Consciousness applied (selected topics)
- Schizophrenia
- Somnambulism and Crime
- Non-human consciousness
Course Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Appreciate the multi-faceted nature of consciousness
- Identify the conceptual and methodological problems in studying consciousness
- Discuss some of the key approaches to consciousness
- Recognize the strengths and weakness of current methodologies
- Trace the neurobiological mechanisms possibly underlying the
emergence of consciousness
- Category
- Hours
- Class Instruction
- 30
- Total
- 30
Registration period May 15 - June 1
International students can find information on course registration and deadlines at New exchange and guest students – Faculty of Social Sciences - University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written assignment
- Type of assessment details
- Bachelor Programme 2021-curriculum:
Free written assignment submitted in Digital Eksamen according to the exam schedule.
The exam paper can be written in groups of maximum 3 students.
1 student max 8 pages, 2 students max 12 pages and 3 students max 14 pages - Exam registration requirements
For all elective subjects, a minimum of 75% of alle classes must be attended as a prerequisite for submitting the final exam. However, the teaching is based on full participation.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Criteria for exam assesment
See Learning Outcome
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- APSB21736U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Bachelor
- Duration
- 1 semester
10 weeks, starts week 36 or 6
- Placement
- Autumn
- Schedule
- B
- Course capacity
- About 30 students per class, 15 Bachelor and 15 Master students
Study board
- Department of Psychology, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Psychology
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinators
- Claudia Carrara-Augustenborg (14-6d6d6b7f717f7d7e6f786c797c714a7a7d8338757f386e75)