PSY 4906 – Special Topics:
Consciousness
Studies
Consciousness: An Introduction Susan Blackmore, Ph.D.
Course readings packet
One additional book from a list of suggested titles, or a book approved by instructor.
SCHEDULE & ROOM:
[Weekly 3-hour block] [Room that accommodates 30 students]
GRADING:
OFFICE HOURS:
TBA
Instructor: Barbara B. Welsch, DVM, Ph.D.
231 SHCC
PURPOSE:
This course will constitute a review of selected topics in the field of consciousness studies and research. It is expected to appeal to students from multiple disciplines including: psychology, sociology, physics, engineering, religion, philosphy, health and spirituality, and neuroscience, among others. STUDENTS WILL ASSUME MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY FOR INTRODUCING THE CLASS TO SELECTED TOPICS.
The fundamental aims of this course are:
1. To introduce students to the emerging panorama of consciousness studies:
Questions and History of Consciousness Studies
Epistemology: Variety of Current Paradigms, Frameworks
Theory: Survey of Main Hypotheses and Theories
Research: Review of Existing Methodologies and Findings
2. To stimulate constructive debate
3. To encourage consultation of existing literature and expertise on contemporary schools of thought and investigation
4. To facilitate original student contributions to the field, that may develop into a senior thesis or a journal publication.
5. To provide flexibility on choice of sub-topic to study in-depth.
6. To exercise scholarly thought, writing, and research (survey, bibliography, interviews, or experimental)
7. New ideas, non-conventional methods and paradigms, intriguing studies, and conflicting scientific observations inevitably lead students to refine and deepen their experience of the scientific spirit, inquiry, method, criticism, and responsible scientific speculation.
8. To challenge students to simultaneously employ a high degree of open-mindedness coupled with rational skepticism and logic .
CREDITS:
General Education:
Social & Behavioral Sciences: 3
Humanities: 3
Gordon Rule: 6000 words (will be looked into as possibility)
Topics covered will, in part, be selected by the students
enrolled in the class. The schedule
below will be altered on a weekly basis
as needed. Assignments will always be due when listed on this schedule,
however.
Week |
Lecture & Discussion Themes |
Assignments Due |
1 |
The
course; the enigma of consciousness; related problems; history |
|
2* |
Knowledge;
scientific method; epistemology: paradigms and frameworks |
Contract for daily practice due |
3* |
Neurobiology
and neuropathology of consciousness |
IRB form if research elected |
4 |
Neurofeedback
and lab |
Final research plan if elected |
5 |
Varieties
of anomalous experiences |
|
6* |
Survey of
Anomalous Processes; Princeton Engineering Anomalies Lab |
|
7 |
Animal
consciousness? |
|
8 |
Death
& dying; hypotheses of survival after death |
|
9* |
Near-Death
experience; Out-of-Body Experience |
|
10 |
Survey of
meditative and other first person approaches |
|
11 |
Interdisciplinary
Implications of consciousness studies |
Be fully
prepared to discuss your field |
12 |
Healing,
spiritual healing, prayer, distant healing and shamanism |
|
13 |
Sleep,
dreams, and lucid dreaming |
|
14 |
Bioenergy
and consciousness |
Daily practice paper due |
15 |
Does the
heart have a mind? HRV lab. |
Book review due |
16 |
Presentations
of projects, practices, and literature reviews |
Literature
review paper due |
Finals
week |
|
Final
essay exam if elected; |