Psychological and Brain Sciences 85 - What Makes the Human Brain Human

Institution:

Dartmouth College

Subject:

Description:

09W: 2A The goal of this course is to develop an understanding of how we came to exist as a species. In particular, this course will focus on how the human mind/brain came to be what it is today. Many traits and abilities set us apart from other animals. Some of what makes us human are mere differences in degree while others are differences in kind. Although there are many physical differences, the main differences that set us apart from the rest of the animal world are mental in nature. Among these differences are the existence of extensive symbolic processing, syntactic processing (language), humor, dance, music, the extent of tool use, and the wearing of clothing. Some physical traits that are highly unusual are near-hairlessness, bipedality, hidden ovulation, menopause (just us and pilot whales!), and a strong prevalence of right-handedness. There are also some other puzzling things that need explanation, such as the existence of homosexuality and schizophrenia, when the genes that may underlie a propensity for such outcomes should have a relatively low probability of propagation. We shall examine evidence from all quarters that will help us understand the course of our mind/brain evolution. Permission of instructor. Tse.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.dartmouth.edu

Phone Number:

(603) 646-1110

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Quarter

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