Unit name | Advanced Consciousness and Psychology |
---|---|
Unit code | PSYCM0047 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Professor. Kit Pleydell-Pearce |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Level 6 Psychology Students must not have taken PSYC31049 |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Psychological Science |
Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
This unit provides an introduction to the problem of consciousness as viewed from psychological, physiological, computational and philosophical perspectives. Extensive prior knowledge of physiology and philosophy is neither necessary nor assumed. A central question is whether contemporary theory can lead to an understanding of consciousness within a scientific framework (e.g. Searle, 1998). Opposing views hold that conscious experience transcends contemporary scientific method, and may remain forever ineffable, at least without a fundamental revision in our understanding of the physical world (e.g. Nagel, 1993; Chalmers, 1996). The first eight lectures introduce topics that are relevant to the problem of consciousness. This information provides the basis and support for the last four lectures which examine a representative cross-section of theories of consciousness.
By the end of the unit, students will be able to have:
This unit comprises 18 x 50 minute lectures and 5 x 50 min tutorials
Summative assessment: one 2000 word essay (30%) and one 2 hour exam (70%)
Koch, C. (2004). The quest for consciousness: a neurobiological approach. Englewood, CO: Roberts & Co. QP411 KOC
Velmans, M. (2000). Understanding consciousness. Philadelphia: Routledge. BF311 VEL
Rose, D. (2006). Consciousness: Philosophical, psychological and neural theories. OUP
This unit is primarily based upon peer reviewed scientific papers rather than any specific textbook.