PSYC 006. First Year Seminar: The Cognitive Neuroscience of Consciousness

How does consciousness arise in a world of matter? Do all creatures have conscious experience? What about “intelligent” machines? Long thought to be the province of philosophy (or speculation), cognitive neuroscientists have recently proposed that theories of consciousness can be tested empirically. In this course, we will read representative work from philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience. Through these readings, we will grapple with why consciousness might be especially difficult to study, and evaluate how scientists have attempted to study it experimentally. Writing assignments, including essays and critical analyses, will aim to help students learn to read and interpret these texts, develop their own thinking about the science of consciousness, and develop their skill to write like cognitive scientists.
Prerequisite: None.
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Fall 2026. Morgan.
Fall 2027 Morgan.

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