The Farther Reaches of (Human) Nature Instructor: Kathleen Noble, Women Studies What is consciousness? Where does it come from? Is it dependent on, independent of, or interdependent with physical reality? How do humans “know” what we “know”? Why do non-Western wisdom traditions and Western scientific perspectives disagree so completely in their ideas about how – and what – we know about consciousness? Do animals have consciousness? What do dreams, intuition, creativity, studies of animal communication, and advances in neuroscience tell us about the plasticity and range of consciousness? The interdisciplinary study of consciousness raises far more questions than answers, but the questions have powerful implications for us all. Students will investigate consciousness from psychological, anthropological, and scientific perspectives. Through lectures, discussions, and small group projects you will learn about some of the changes occurring in the western scientific paradigm due to recent discoveries in psychology, neuroscience, and animal communication, and how to think, write, and talk about these often contradictory ideas about consciousness and reality. You will also learn and practice a form of breathing meditation that will help you to better understand your own beliefs about consciousness and to develop your creativity, compassion, insight, and inner calm. Students interested in pursuing fields in the social and health sciences will find this course particularly appropriate. Meets: MTWTh 9:30-12:00
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