Course Syllabus
| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2022 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Core Course - 3 credits |
| Study Tours: |
Aarhus; Florence |
| Major Disciplines: |
Neuroscience; Psychology |
| Prerequisite(s): |
One course in neuroscience, physiological psychology, biological psychology, or cognitive psychology at university level. |
| Faculty Members: |
Maria Özden (current students please use the Canvas Inbox to contact) |
| Program Contact: | |
| Time & Place: |
August 30th - December 7th (see course schedule below) Classroom: F24-202 |
Course Description
This course introduces concepts, theoretical models and 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 how disorders of consciousness are understood and rated in clinical settings. The course outlines the multi-faceted nature of consciousness by discussing different aspects of the phenomenon in normal as well as abnormal conditions. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to actively participate in discussions and to use their critical sense during reflections and discussions of the current state of knowledge about how the brain relates to the mind.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the multi-faceted nature of consciousness
- Identify the conceptual and methodological challenges in studying consciousness
- Trace the neurobiological mechanisms possibly underlying the emergence of consciousness
- Understand some of the key approaches to rating disorders of consciousness
- Recognize the strengths and weaknesses of current methodologies
Themes
We will cover topics such as conceptualizing consciousness, theories on consciousness, disorders of consciousness following brain injury, objective and subjective assessments of consciousness, the impact of culture and consciousness applied in clinical populations.
Faculty
Maria Özden, clinical neuropsychologist
Certified MSc in psychology from University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Main areas of interest are within the field of cognitive neuroscience, particularly neural mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits following brain injury, neuropsychological rehabilitation, disorders of consciousness and the impact of culture on cognitive performance in minority ethnic groups. With DIS since 2022.
Readings
Journal Articles available in Canvas calendar.
Overview article: Zeman, A. (2005). What in the world is consciousness? Progress in Brain Research, 150, 1-10.
Anokhin, K. V. (2021). The Cognitome: Seeking the fundamental neuroscience of a theory of consciousness. Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology, 51(7), 915-937.
Appel, K., Pipa, G., & Dresler, M. (2018). Investigating consciousness in the sleep laboratory–an interdisciplinary perspective on lucid dreaming. Interdisciplinary Science Reviews, 43(2), 192-207.
Ardila, A. (2007). The impact of culture on neuropsychological test performance. International handbook of cross-cultural neuropsychology, 23, 44. Chapter 2.
Baars BJ.(2005). Global workspace theory of consciousness: toward a cognitive neuroscience of human experience, in Progresses in Brain Research 150, 45-53.
Block, N. (2011). Perceptual consciousness overflows cognitive access, in Trends in Cognitive Sciences Dec; 15(12), 567-75.
Cardon, A. (2018). Beyond artificial Intelligence: from Human consciousness to artificial consciousness. John Wiley & Sons. Sections: 1.1-1.3 (p. 1-14); 1.7 (p. 45-55); 2.8 (p. 176-181) & 2.11 (p. 194-197).
Damasio, A. (2003). Feeling of emotions and the self, in Ann. N.Y Acc.. Science, 1001, 253-261.
Dehaene, S., Naccache, L. (2001). Towards a cognitive neuroscience of consciousness: basic evidence and workspace framework, in Cognition 79, 1-37.
Del Pin, S. H., Skóra, Z., Sandberg, K., Overgaard, M., & Wierzchoń, M. (2021). Comparing theories of consciousness: why it matters and how to do it. Neuroscience of Consciousness, 2021(2), niab019.
Farb, N. A. S. (2014). From retreat center to clinic to boardroom? Perils and promises of the modern mindfulness movement. Religions, 5, 1062-1086.
Giacino, J. T. (2004). The vegetative and minimally conscious states: consensus-based criteria for establishing diagnosis and prognosis. NeuroRehabilitation, 19(4), 293-298.
Ponsford, J., Carrier, S., Hicks, A., & McKay, A. (2021). Assessment and management of patients in the acute stages of recovery after traumatic brain injury in adults: a worldwide survey. Journal of neurotrauma, 38(8), 1060-1067.
Schnakers, C., & Majerus, S. (2012). Behavioral assessment and diagnosis of disorders of consciousness. In Coma and disorders of consciousness (pp. 1-13). Springer, London. Chapter 6 is voluntary.
Weaver, J. A., Cogan, A. M., O'Brien, K. A., Hansen, P., Giacino, J. T., Whyte, J., ... & Mallinson, T. (2022). Determining the hierarchy of coma recovery scale-revised rating scale categories and alignment with aspen consensus criteria for patients with brain injury: A rasch analysis. Journal of neurotrauma.
Zeki S. (2003). The disunity of consciousness, in Trends in Cognitive Sciences May;7(5):214-218.
Optional readings:
Carrara-Augustenborg (2013). Endogenous Feedback Network: Summary and Evaluation, in The development of a comprehensive model of human consciousness, pp. 15.23, Ph.D Thesis, University of Copenhagen, ISBN 978-87-7611-591-3.
Kouider S, de Gardelle V, Sackur J, Dupoux E. (2010). How rich is consciousness? The partial awareness hypothesis, in Trends Cogn Sci.Jul;14(7):301-7.
Scales for rating disorders of consciousness (available in canvas):
Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test
JFK Coma Recovery Scale-Revised
Field Studies
Planetarium - “making sense of your senses”.
"Scavenger hunt" in selected parts of the city.
Urban awareness in Copenhagen - what defines Danish culture?
Guest Lecturers
Simon Hünermund, psychologist at Center for Mental Health and external lecturer at University of Copenhagen. Topic: "Mindfulness and consciousness".
Christian Gunge Riberholt, trained physical therapist with a PhD in cardiovascular science and neuroscience. Topic: "Physical interventions for people with disorders of consciousness following acquired brain injury".
Christian has been working in neurorehabilitation since 2004 and doing full-time research since 2016. His work has focused on early rehabilitation and the physiological changes patients with severe brain injury undergo and how we can stimulate arousal through physical activity. Lately, his research has been focusing on ways to intensify physical activity during rehabilitation.
Approach to Teaching
Classes will be composed of various teaching methods, e.g. discussions, teamwork, presentations and exercises. Classes will not take form of long lectures but will rather aim to create an interactive space in which students can share ideas and thoughts. Classes should offer a safe environment in which all students feel welcome.
Expectations of the Students
Class attendance is mandatory. During this course engaged participation will be expected and is crucial for achieving a positive learning outcome. Students are encouraged to reflect critically on the various topics and the current knowledge in the field of consciousness. Students should be prepared to provide feedback and/or prepare questions for each other after discussions, workshops and presentations.
The schedule will list reading materials for each class. It is expected that students are prepared by having read and reflected on the material beforehand. Being prepared ensures a better understanding of the topic and creates a possibility for fruitful discussions, a dynamic learning environment and a better overall outcome.
Evaluation
|
Form |
How |
Percentage |
|
Engaged participation (not just attendance) |
Individual |
25 % |
|
Presentations |
Individual |
20 % |
|
Core Course Week and Long Study Tour Assignments (2 separate reflection papers) |
Individual |
20 % |
|
Final: Posters and presentation of posters |
Individual/groups of 2 |
25 % |
|
Case day participation |
Individual and team-based evaluation |
10 % |
Papers must be handed in under assignments in canvas.
Class room policies
Late papers will not be accepted.
Use of laptops and phones in class is allowed for taking notes and specific tasks. It is, however, expected that students are mentally present and participate in class activities.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|