About this course
Despite decades of scientific research and centuries of philosophical analysis, consciousness remains one of the greatest scientific challenges of our time. What is consciousness and which brain mechanisms shape the unique sense of self, implicit in all our thoughts and perceptions? How can we transform the subjectivity of human experience to an objective topic of research?
Through the lenses of behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, we explore both conceptual and methodological perspectives of relevance to the study of human consciousness. We critically analyze the obstacles and challenges inherent to the study of consciousness.
Syllabus
Pre-requisites
One course in neuroscience, physiological psychology, biological psychology, or cognitive psychology at university level.
Faculty
Simon Barak Caine
FacultyB.A. (Biological Basis of Behavior, University of Pennsylvania, 1985), Ph.D. (Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 1994). Research Tech, Pharmacology, UPenn, 1985-1989. HFSP Postdoc, U. Cambridge, 1995-1996. Associate Professor, Psychiatry, Harvard U., 2007-2023. Lecturer, Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston U., 1997-2022. Research Associate, Harvard U., 2023-present. Lecturer, Harvard U., 2011-present. Research Consultant, Biology, U. Copenhagen, 2023-present. With DIS since 2024.
Dan-Anders Jirenhed
FacultyMSc in Cognitive Science from Linköping University (2001) and PhD in Neurophysiology from Lund University (2007). Prior to DIS, Dan worked as a Postdoctoral research fellow at Stanford University in the US (2009-2011) and as a researcher and teacher at Lund University (2011-2021). With DIS since 2024.