Elective course - The feeling of being: Theoretical and Empirical Approaches to the Study of Human Consciousness

Course content

This course introduces the main theoretical models and the 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 to grasp why science needs to embrace also conceptual and philosophical levels of analysis. The course outlines the multi-faceted nature of consciousness by discussing different aspects of the phenomenon in normal as well as in abnormal conditions. Students are encouraged throughout the course to actively participate in discussions and to make critical thinking regarding the current state of knowledge about how the brain relates to the mind.

The following topics will be covered during the course:

Theme 1: Framing consciousness

  • What do we mean by ‘conscious’?
  • The hard vs. the easy problem
  • Mapping different aspects of consciousness
  • Consciousness and Accessibility

 

Theme 2: Theoretical Approaches to the study of consciousness

  • Globalist vs. localist models
  • Theories: Baars; Damasio; Zeki; Tononi; Lamme; Edelman; Carrara-Augustenborg
  • The emergence of consciousness and the problem of binding
  • Understanding consciousness from the social psychology perspective

 

Theme 3: Methodological challenges

  • Objective and Subjective assessments of consciousness
  • Consciousness and Emotions
  • Disorders of consciousness: coma, vegetative states, locked-in syndrome
  • Anesthesia and brain default network

 

Theme 4: Consciousness applied (selected topics)

  • Schizophrenia
  • Somnambulism and Crime
  • Non-human consciousness
Education

The course is open to:

  • Master Programme in Psychology

 

The course is open to:

  • Exchange and Guest students from abroad

Curriculum - UCPH

Learning outcome

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Appreciate the multi-faceted nature of consciousness
  • Identify the conceptual and methodological problems in studying consciousness
  • Discuss some of the key approaches to consciousness
  • Recognize the strengths and weakness of current methodologies
  • Trace the neurobiological mechanisms possibly underlying the emergence of consciousness

Syllabus cf. curriculum: The syllabus can be compulsory or combined compulsory/self-selected.
Elective (BA) (7.5 ECTS): approx. 600 standard pages
Elective (MA) (7.5 ECTS credits): approx. 800 standard pages

An up-to-date syllabus list will be available in the course room on Absalon just before the start of the semester.

If the course has previously been offered, syllabus lists can be found here: Absalon

Not relevant
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Type of assessment details
Free written assignment submitted in Digital Eksamen according to the exam schedule.

The exam paper can be written in groups of maximum 3 students.
1 student max 12 pages, 2 students max 15 pages and 3 students max 18 pages
Examination prerequisites

For all elective subjects, a minimum of 75% of alle classes must be attended as a prerequisite for submitting the final exam. However, the teaching is based on full participation.
 

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Exam period

Exam information:

The examination date can be found in the exam schedule    here

The exact time and place will be available in Digital Exam from the middle of the semester. 

Re-exam

Reexam information:

The reexamination date/period can be found in the reexam schedule    here

Criteria for exam assessment

Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.

 

To obtain the top grade “12”, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.

 

To obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 30
  • English
  • 30

Kursusinformation

Language
English
Course number
APSK15736U
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Programme level
Full Degree Master
Bachelor
Master’s minor subject
Duration

1 semester

10 weeks, starts week 36
Placement
Autumn
Schedulegroup
C
Capacity
About 30 students per class, 15 Bachelor and 15 Master students
Studyboard
Department of Psychology, Study Council
Contracting department
  • Department of Psychology
Contracting faculty
  • Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
  • Claudia Carrara-Augustenborg   (14-65656377697775766770647174694272757b306d7730666d)
Saved on the 09-05-2025

Are you BA- or KA-student?

Are you bachelor- or kandidat-student, then find the course in the course catalog for students:

Courseinformation of students