Module PSYS3161: THE SCIENCE OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Department: Psychology (Applied Psychology) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

PSYS3161: THE SCIENCE OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Prerequisites

• Modules to the value of 100 credits from Level 2 Applied Psychology (C810) OR Brain Processes of Perception & Cognition (PSYC2111)

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Architecture of Vision (PSYC3181) OR Neuropsychology (PSYC3011)

Aims

• To provide an introduction to the scientific study of consciousness

Content

• Is it possible to study consciousness scientifically?
• Philosophical issues in the study of consciousness
• The neural bases of consciousness
• Brain-damage and awareness
• Consciousness & cognition
• The module will also cover related conceptual and historical issues in psychology

Learning Outcomes

• Students passing this module should be able to:
• Explain the ways in which consciousness is studied scientifically
• Describe models and empirical studies of consciousness in normal subjects and brain-damaged patients

• Students passing this module should be able to:
• Locate, read and review a body of research evidence
• Adopt and critically evaluate different theoretical perspectives and see the relationships between them
• Interpret and evaluate the significance of empirical work

• Students passing this module should be able to:
• Undertake critical evaluation of the quality of evidence and arguments
• Communicate complex ideas effectively in their written work producing a clear, well-written essay
• Demonstrate independent learning

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Knowledge and understanding is developed through the weekly 2 hour sessions involving variety of learning modes including lectures, student presentations, video-based material, and some small group work
• This knowledge will be assessed in the summative assessment, and the written examination. These assessments will be essay-based, providing students with the opportunities to demonstrate their abilities to appraise and apply empirical and theoretical in a critical manner
• Preparations for presentations promote students abilities to locate, read and evaluate a body of evidence. These abilities are assessed via the summative essay and written examination. Feedback is provided for the summative assessment
• All modes of teaching are designed to promote critical evaluation of evidence and arguments, to adopt different theoretical positions, and to interpret empirical work in terms of theory. Assessment of these abilities is based on the summative essay and written examination. Feedback is provided for the summative assessment
• Written communication skills are developed through the preparation for the essay and examinations. Assessment of the skills is based on these formative assessments. Feedback is provided for the summative assessment
• Good IT skills are required for the preparation of the summative essays. Feedback is provided regarding the adequacy of these skills where necessary

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Workshop Presentation

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University