FS 006 PZ -Science of Dreams

Institution: Pitzer

Description: One of the most puzzling of psychological phenomena is the nature of dreams. Are they window into the unconscious mind or just random neural activity during sleep? Dreams are a subjective and private experience. For the dreamer, dreams can be fantastic and illogical, filled with images of ones life often colored with strong emotions and feelings. We will examine whether the meaning and nature of dreams can be explained and understood according the principles of science and rational thought. Lectures, readings and class discussions will explore a number of different perspectives on the nature of dreams and dreaming. We will also look at how dreams are represented in our society through art, music and film and whether or not dream states can be artificially induced through drugs or brain machine interfaces.

Prerequisite(s): None

First-Year seminars are not listed on the course schedule. Incoming students will be assigned to a first-year seminar and registered automatically.