Neuroaesthetics
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 15
- Teaching semesters
- Autumn, Spring
- Course code
- NEU201
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- Norwegian or English
- Resources
- Schedule
- Reading list
Course description
Objectives and Content
NEU201 is not offered the autumn semester 2023.
Aim
The course aims to provide a broad understanding of neuroaesthetics, illustrated by a selection of particularly significant and recent scientific works in this field. Basic visual physiology on perception of form and color is also a central topic. Another goal is to clarify how modern brain research may provide insight into creative mechanisms in paleoart.
Contents:
Neuroaesthetics lies at the intersection between cognitive psychology, neurobiology and art. In neuro-aesthetics methods primarily deriving from cognitive psychology are used to study how the brain responds to aesthetic stimuli.
The study includes topics like
*neuronal activation in response to aesthetic stimuli
* method: different types of brain scans
* physiology of vision
* Aesthetics and cognition in an evolutionary perspective
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing this course, students will have:
Knowledge
Skills
General knowledge
The student
* Has a basic understanding of how aesthetic stimuli activate specific anatomical structures in the brain and how cognitive and affective factors interact in aesthetic perception. * Is able to understand why a particular method and experimental setup (paradigm) can answer the central questions raised in a particular study.
* Have knowledge about theories of aesthetics as seen in an evolutionary perspective.
The student
* Understands basic neurophysiology and neuroanatomy.
* Understands the principles for how to build an f-MRI paradigm using cognitive subtraction. * Can interpret f-MRI images by identifying the Brodmann sites activated, and understand changes in activation from condition a to condition b.
The student
* Is able to use the terminology and discourse forms in neuroaesthetics in an independent work with key professional issues. * have basic understanding of the nature of scientific thinking and methodology: the hypothetical deductive method.
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Place of Instruction
Required Previous Knowledge
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
Normally 14-16 double lectures (2x45 min).
If less than five students are registered to a course, the department might reduce the teaching, please see the department's guidelines regarding this on Mitt UiB. Regarding a course where this is a possibility the students get information about this at the beginning of the semester, and before the deadline regarding semester registration 1.February/1.September.