Course Syllabus

Semester & Location:	Spring 2023- 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 Ana Lucia Cardenas Egusquiza (current students please use the canvas inbox to contact)
Time & Place:	Time: Tuesdays 14:50-17:45 (see Canvas calendar for dates) 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 acquired brain injury, neuropsychological rehabilitation, disorders of consciousness and the impact of culture on cognitive test performance in minority ethnic groups.

Ana Lucia Cardenas Egusquiza

PhD Fellow in psychology at Aarhus University, Denmark. MSc in psychology from University of Barcelona. My main research interests include sleep, circadian rhythms and various types of spontaneous mental activity, including mind wandering, daydreaming, involuntary mental time travel and dreaming.

Readings

Journal Articles available in Canvas calendar. 

Anokhin, K. V. (2021). The Cognitome: Seeking the fundamental neuroscience of a theory of consciousness. Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology, 51(7), 915-937.

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.

Bekoff, M. (2003). Consciousness and self in animals: some reflections. Zygon®, 38(2), 229-245.

Berntsen, D. (1996). Involuntary autobiographical memories. Applied cognitive psychology, 10(5), 435-454.

Block, N. (2011). Perceptual consciousness overflows cognitive access, in Trends in Cognitive Sciences Dec; 15(12), 567-75.

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.

Dresler, M., Eibl, L., Fischer, C. F., Wehrle, R., Spoormaker, V. I., Steiger, A., ... & Pawlowski, M. (2014). Volitional components of consciousness vary across wakefulness, dreaming and lucid dreaming. Frontiers in psychology, 4, 987.

Farb, N. A. S. (2014). From retreat center to clinic to boardroom? Perils and promises of the modern mindfulness movement. Religions, 5, 1062-1086. 

Francken, J. C., Beerendonk, L., Molenaar, D., Fahrenfort, J. J., Kiverstein, J. D., Seth, A. K., & van Gaal, S. (2022). An academic survey on theoretical foundations, common assumptions and the current state of consciousness science. Neuroscience of consciousness, 2022(1), niac011.

Fox KCR, Nijeboer S, Solomonova E, Domhoff GW, Christoff K. 2013. Dreaming as mind wandering: evidence from functional neuroimaging and first-person content reports. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 7:412

Lamme, V. A. (2006). Towards a true neural stance on consciousness. Trends in cognitive sciences, 10(11), 494-501.

Overgaard, M., & Sandberg, K. (2021). The Perceptual Awareness Scale—recent controversies and debates. Neuroscience of Consciousness, 2021(1), niab044.

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 (chapter 1 & chapter 6). Springer, London. 

Seth, A. K., & Bayne, T. (2022). Theories of consciousness. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 1-14.

Smallwood, J., & Schooler, J. W. (2015). The science of mind wandering: empirically navigating the stream of consciousness. Annual review of psychology, 487-518.

Zeki S. (2003). The disunity of consciousness, in Trends in Cognitive Sciences May;7(5):214-218.

Zeman, A. (2005). What in the world is consciousness? Progress in Brain Research, 150, 1-10.

Scales for rating disorders of consciousness (available in canvas calendar):
Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test
JFK Coma Recovery Scale-Revised

Field Studies

"Scavenger hunt" in selected parts of the city. 

Urban awareness in Copenhagen - what defines Danish culture? 

Mind wandering while walking in Copenhagen.

Guest Lecturers

Simon Hünermund, psychologist at Center for Mental Health and external lecturer at University of Copenhagen. Topic: "Mindfulness and consciousness".

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 %
Core Course Week and Long Study Tour Assignments (2 separate reflection papers)	Individual	25 %
Final: Posters and presentation of posters	Individual/groups of 2	25 %
Creative field study assignment	Groups of 2	10 %
Short presentations of assigned reading	Individual	15 %

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 RegulationsLinks to an external site. on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

• Course Enrollment and GradingLinks to an external site.
• Academic Expectations and Honor CodeLinks to an external site.
  

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.orgLinks to an external site.