PSY4318 – Multidisciplinary Studies of Consciousness
Course content
What is consciousness? How does the brain generate consciousness? To what extent and in which forms does consciousness exist in non-human species? Could a machine be conscious? This course will introduce you to the mystery and problems of consciousness, the difficulties consciousness presents to science and philosophy, as well as practical, clinical, and ethical implications.
Following a multidisciplinary approach, the concept and phenomena of consciousness will be studied from the perspectives of philosophy, medicine, neuroscience, and psychology. We will discuss diverse neuroscientific and psychological approaches and models of consciousness as well as the epistemological problems associated with studying consciousness.
Learning outcome
The students will learn to
1) evaluate philosophical and neuroscientific theories of consciousness.
2) synthesise research findings and communicate neuroscientific aspects of consciousness.
3) describe the most common techniques and paradigms for the measurement of different aspects of consciousness.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Teaching
The course teaching will consist of nine sessions of two hours each.
Examination
Oral examination
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.