Lisa Feldman-Barrett: Seven And A Half Lessons About The Brain

Dr. phil. habil. Annette Hohenberger

Veranstaltungstyp: Seminar
TeilnehmerInnen:

Beschreibung:
Course Description:

In this seminar, co-taught by Carmen Mossner and Johannes Dittrich, we will read the book “Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain” by Lisa Feldman Barrett (2020), alongside selected scientific papers that deepen our understanding of each chapter. Topics include the brain’s structure and development, predictive processing, emotion construction and social cognition.
Through weekly discussions, student presentations, student comments, and an offline essay at the end of the semester, we examine Barrett’s account on what the brain is for and how our brain functions. This course invites students from across disciplines to rethink common brain myths, for example the “triune brain”, and engage critically with contemporary neuropsychology and neuroscience.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, students will:

1. develop a better understanding of what the brain is for, how it works and what misconceptions still prevail in the debate,
2. strengthen their critical mindset for questioning extant models and claims about the brain,
3. improve their skills in presenting scientific research and scientific writing.

Prerequisites:
All students are welcome. However, having completed the course “Introduction to Cognitive (Neuro-) Psychology” is recommended. Students may also benefit from having completed the courses “Introduction to Neurobiology” or “Functional Neuroanatomy”.

Course Format:
· Delivery Method: In presence; in-class discussions and presentations
· Type of Contact & Contact Hours: Mail or by appointment
· Selection Process: Open to all

Assessment and Grading:
· Critical comments to scientific papers
· Presentation OR Podcast
· Offline Essay with pre-given questions

Required Texts and Materials or further Resources:
Required
• Barrett’s Book: “7 and 1/2 lessons about the brain” (2020) (https://lisafeldmanbarrett.com/books/seven-and-a-half-lessons-about-the-brain/). The book is available in our library for online reading.
Additional
• Barrett’s Book: “How Emotions Are Made” (2017) (https://lisafeldmanbarrett.com/books/how-emotions-are-made/)
• Barrett’s TED Talk on YouTube (https://youtu.be/0gks6ceq4eQ?si=ecMmO3NnQpE663hb)
• Barrett’s YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/@lisafeldmanbarrett7059?si=ziErl4kF38z7SbxM)
• Barrett’s Website (https://lisafeldmanbarrett.com/)
• Barrett’s guest appearance on the Huberman Lab Podcast (2023) (https://youtu.be/FeRgqJVALMQ?si=jhmy9u3OYOeb-L-2)
• Barrett’s Carnap Lectures in Bochum (2024) (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6-7AZE0gs_o718whjqcB2ZDnKGDaRFFR&si=m3pFhac5JXuwCB7I)
• One of Barrett’s scientific papers: The theory of constructed emotion: an active inference account of interoception and categorisation (https://academic.oup.com/scan/article/12/1/1/2823712)

Important Dates:

· Registration Deadline on HisInOne/EXA: May 2, 2025
· De-Registration Deadline on HisInOne/EXA: July 25, 2025
· Exam Date on HisInOne/EXA: July 14, 2025

Will this class be offered again/regularly?

Likely not.

Erstes Treffen:
Montag, 14.04.2025 14:00 - 16:00, Ort: 93/E07

Ort:
93/E06: Mo. 14:00 - 16:00 (10x), 93/E07: Mo. 14:00 - 16:00 (1x), 93/E44: Mo. 14:00 - 16:00 (1x)

Semester:
SoSe 2025

Zeiten:
Mo. 14:00 - 16:00 (wöchentlich), Ort: 93/E06, 93/E07, 93/E44

Leistungsnachweis:


Veranstaltungsnummer:
8.30202

ECTS-Kreditpunkte:
4

Bereichseinordnung:
Veranstaltungen > Cognitive Science > Bachelor-Programm Veranstaltungen > Cognitive Science > Master-Programm Courses suitable for Exchange Students > Human Sciences (e.g. Cognitive Science, Psychology)