SS-590 Altered States of Consciousness - Course Content

Ordinary vs. Altered States of Consciousness (Text - chapter 1, class handouts)

1/29:

1. Introduction to course
2. Subjective and objective realities

2/2:

1. Ordinary consciousness

2/3:

1. Altered states of consciousness

2/5:

1. Theories of consciousness

2/9:

1. The mind-body problem and world views
2. Materialism-determinism-reductionism

2/10:

1. Idealism, interactionism, epiphenomenalism and pansychism

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The Physiology of Consciousness (Text - chapter 2, class handouts)
2/17:

1. The neuron and the nervous system
2. Neurological connections to consciousness

2/18:

1. The split brain
2. The unity of consciousness: real or illusion?

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Parapsychology (text - chapter 9, class handouts)

2/19:

1. ESP, PK and survival

2/23:

1. OBE's and NDE's

2/24:

1. Film "To Solve the ESP Mystery"
2. Film "To Develop a New Psychic Force: PK"

2/26:

1. What is channeling?

3/1:

1. A history of channeling

3/2:

1. Edgar Cayce: a case study

3/4:

1. Film "Edgar Cayce"

3/8:

1. Theories: outside source; unconscious mind; transpersonal mind

3/9:  Exam #1 - this will cover chapters 1, 2, and 9 from the text, class handouts, plus anything discussed in class.

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Sleep and Dreaming (Text, chapter 7, class handouts)

3/11:

1. Why sleep?
2. Theories of sleep

3/15:

1. Sleep-related problems and disorders
2. The polysomnograph

3/16:

1. Sleep, dreams, and brain waves
2. Hypnagogic and hypnopompic states

3/18:

1. Are dreams confined to stage REM?
2. Factors affecting sleep cycle

3/22:

1. Film "Sleep and Dreaming"

3/23:

1. History of dream interpretation
   Supernatural vs. naturalistic views

3/25:

1. Contemporary theories of dreaming

3/29:

1. Esoteric approaches to dreaming

3/30:

1. Film "Mind Awake and Asleep"
2. Film "Mind Hidden and Divided

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Hypnosis (Text - chapter 4, class handouts)

4/1:

1. What is hypnosis?
2. History of hypnosis

4/15:

1. Hypnotic phenomena

4/19:

1. Extent of hypnotic regression
2. Hypnotic susceptibility
3. Applications of hypnosis

4/20:

1. Possible problems
2. Theories: tripartite; neodissociation;  sociocognitive

4/22: Exam #2 - this will cover chapters 7and 8 from the text, class handouts, plus anything discussed in class since the last test.

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Meditation (Text - chapter 6, class handouts)

4/26:

1. What is meditation?
2. History of meditation

4/27:

1. Concentrative meditation
2. Yoga
3. Opening-up meditation

4/29:

1. Effects of meditation
2. Mystical consciousness
3. Theories of meditation

5/3:

1. Film "The Sufi Way"

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Biofeedback (Text - chapter 5, class handouts)

5/4:

1. Biofeedback training process
2. Applications of biofeedback

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Sensory Restriction (Text - chapter 8, class handouts)

5/6:

1. Historical development
2. Types of sensory restriction
3. Effects of sensory restriction

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Consciousness Altering Drugs (Text - chapter, class handouts)

5/10:

1. Reasons for drug use
2. Main effects and side effects

5/11:

1. What determines a drug experience
2. Drugs and the neurotransmission process
3. TERM PAPER DUE TODAY 5/11

5/13:

1. Tranquilizers
2. Stimulants
3. Opiates

5/17:

1. Hallucinogens
2. Carlos Castaneda and don Juan

5/18:

1. Film "Heroin: The New High School High"

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Final Exam: This will cover chapters 3, 5, 6 and 8 in the text, class handouts, plus anything discussed in class since the last test. Final exams are given during Final Exam week at a date, time and room determined by the college.Most likely, this is going to be different from your regularly scheduled class time and room. Students who work must be prepared to rearrange their schedule if necessary.

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