Lecture Notes: The Human Brain (913)

Introduction

• Instructor: Nancy Kamwisher
• Course Overview: Discussion of the human brain, its organization, and the study of its functions.
• Agenda:
  • Brief story about an incident involving a friend.
  • Importance of studying the brain: Why, How, and What.
  • Course mechanics and grading.

Story about Bob

• Key Themes:
  • Nature of the human mind.
  • Organization of the human brain.
  • Recovery from brain damage.
  • Resilience, privilege, knowledge, and expertise.
• Incident:
  • Bob collapses in the speaker's home and is taken to the hospital.
  • Initial tests do not reveal any health issues.
  • Speaker recalls signs of Bob's navigation difficulties, leading to a brain scan.
  • Discovery of a brain tumor (meningioma) affecting Bob's navigation abilities.

Importance of Studying the Brain

Why Study the Brain?

1. Know Thyself:
   • The brain is central to identity and self-understanding.
2. Understand the Limits of Knowledge:
   • Insights into cognitive abilities and potential limitations of human understanding.
3. Advance AI:
   • Study of the brain can inform artificial intelligence development.
4. The Greatest Intellectual Quest:
   • Understanding how the brain produces the mind.

How to Study the Brain?

• Explore different levels of brain organization:
  • Molecular, neuronal, circuit, regional, and network levels.
• Focus on how the brain gives rise to mind.
• Use a variety of methods:
  • Neuropsychology, fMRI, EEG, MEG, etc.

Course Structure

Topics Covered:

• Vision (perception of color, shape, motion, objects).
• Navigation and spatial abilities.
• Language understanding and acquisition.
• Understanding numbers and basic arithmetic.
• Music perception and emotional responses.
• Theory of mind and social cognition.

Methods of Study

• Cognitive Science: Utilizing psychophysical methods and perceptual illusions.
• Neuropsychological Studies: Learning from patients with brain damage.
• Neuroimaging Techniques: fMRI, EEG, MEG, etc.

Course Mechanics

• Grading Structure:
  • Midterm Exam: 25%
  • Final Exam: 25%
  • Weekly Papers/Assignments: Short written responses based on readings.
  • Quizzes: Brief quizzes to assess understanding and engagement.
• Papers: Read original research articles and understand methods and findings.

Conclusion

• The brain has a complex organization.
• Different regions of the brain perform specific functions.
• Importance of understanding the relationship between brain structure and mental processes.

Additional Notes

• Expect discussions on both cognitive functions and the underlying neural mechanisms.
• The course will encourage students to engage with current research and develop critical reading skills.