States of Consciousness

PSYCH 328
Hunter College, CUNY
Summer 2016
Instructor: Laura Egan, Ph.D.
Class Meets: M/T/W/R, 6:00pm-7:53pm
Email: eganlauraj@gmail.com
Room: HN C108
Course Description
This course will provide information on the subjective and physiological aspects of consciousness; the
means by which it may be altered: hypnosis, dreams, drugs, meditation and mysticism; psychosis.
Pre-Requisites
You must be a declared psychology major and have completed six psychology credits prior to enrolling
in this course (including PSYCH 249 and 250 with a minimum grade of C). You must also have
completed one semester of a lab science sequence and English 120 with a passing grade.
Required Text
Blackmore, S. (2011). Consciousness: An Introduction, 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press.
ISBN: 9780199739097
Course Structure
The assigned readings should be completed prior to coming to class. Lectures will cover the readings as
well as additional information. Outlines of the lecture slides will be posted on Blackboard prior to class.
Correspondence
Communication through email is the best way to be in touch with me. However, emails will not be
addressed if (1) the course number is not in the subject line, (2) there is not a proper salutation, (3) the
text of the email is not written with proper grammar, and (4) there is no signature.
Classroom Policies
Excessive lateness, playing on your phone/tablet/computer, or other disruptive behaviors may result in
you being asked to leave. There will be individuals in the class who may not share your religious beliefs,
culture, or lifestyle. It is expected that everyone will treat others with respect during class discussions.
Attendance
Attendance is strongly encouraged. While lecture slides will be posted on Blackboard, there may be
some material stated in class that was not written on the slides. Thus, it is your responsibility to attend
class and take notes on the lecture material. An attendance sheet will be passed out at the beginning of
class for you to sign. If you miss the attendance sheet it is your responsibility to sign the attendance
sheet at the end of class. If you miss no more than 2 classes I will add 1 point to your final grade. If you
miss no more than 3 classes I will add 0.5 points to your final grade.

Grading
Exams: 75% of your final grade
There will be 3 multiple choice exams (25% each). Please bring #2 pencils and erasers to all exams.
Questions will come from class lectures (including videos), readings from your text, and any additional
readings or materials that may be assigned. Exams are not cumulative and are equally weighted. If you
arrive late for an exam, you may still take the exam but you will only be given until the end of class, you
will not be given extra time.
Paper: 20% of your final grade
You are able to choose any topic for your paper that relates to the class topic. You must submit your
paper topic and references for approval by Monday July 25th. You must use a minimum of five
references (research journals). The paper must be 5 double spaced pages not including the title page and
references. The paper is due Monday August 15th. For each day the paper is late, you will lose 5 points.
Presentation: 5% of your final grade
The presentation should be based on your paper topic, or on one journal article from your paper.
Presentations should be about 5 minutes long, visual aids are not necessary. No credit will be given if
the majority of your information can be found in the book. Presentation dates will be assigned after you
have submitted your paper topic for approval. Possible dates are: August 1, August 2, August 3, August
4, August 9, August 10, and August 11.
Credit/No Credit
The credit/no credit policy was created to encourage students in other disciplines to take courses outside
of their major. If you have declared a Psychology major and this course will count as a requirement
towards the major then you CANNOT take this course for credit/no credit. The Credit/No Credit system
may be elected by students up until the time, within College regulations, that the student completes all
course work/exams (i.e., you must bring the form in BEFORE taking the final exam). Requests must be
by signed agreement (between student and instructor) using the form which students may obtain at
OASIS. Students requesting grading according to this system must have completed all of the
assignments and exams. Otherwise, the grade of WU or INC will apply. The no credit option can only
replace a D or an F. Students on probation cannot receive a grade of no credit. ELIGIBILITY FOR
FINANCIAL AID MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE CHOICE CREDIT/NO CREDIT.
Academic Integrity
Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations,
obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses
against the values of intellectual honesty. The College is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on
Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College
Academic Integrity Procedures.
AccessABILITY
In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational parity and
accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is
recommended that all students with documented disabilities (emotional, medical, physical and/or
learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY located in Room E1124 to secure necessary academic
accommodations. For further information and assistance please call the Office of AccessABILITY at
212-772-4857 (TTY; 212-650-3230).

Grade Scale
Letter Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
D
F

Percent Grade
97.5 -100
92.5 - 97.4
90.0 - 92.4
87.5 - 89.9
82.5 - 87.4
80.0 - 82.4
77.5 - 79.9
70.0 - 77.4
60.0 - 69.9
0.0 - 59.9

GPA
4.0
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.0
0.0

Course Schedule
Day
M

Date
18-Jul

19-Jul

20-Jul

21-Jul

25-Jul

26-Jul

27-Jul

28-Jul

M
T
W
R
M
T
W
R

1-Aug
2-Aug
3-Aug
4-Aug
8-Aug
9-Aug
10-Aug
11-Aug

15-Aug

16-Aug

W
R

17-Aug
18-Aug

Topic
What's the Problem?
What is it like to be?
Conscious and Unconscious Action
The Theater of the Mind
Attention and Timing
The Grand Illusion
Egos, Bundles, and Multiple Selves
Theories of Self
Agency and Free Will
EXAM 1: Sections 1-3
The Neural Correlates of Consciousness
The Unity of Consciousness
Damaged Brains
Evolution and Consciousness
The Function of Consciousness
Animal Minds
Minds and Machines
Could a Machine be Conscious?
EXAM 2: Sections 4-6
Unconscious Processing
Reality and Imagination
The Paranormal
Drugs and Altered States
Sleep, Dreams, and Hypnotic States
Exceptional Human Experience
The View from Within
Meditation and Mindfulness
EXAM 3: Sections 7-9

Reading
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26