86799 - Self-Awareness and Consciousness

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: - gets in depth knowledge of the historical, philosophical and psychological perspectives as well as the main theories and current neuroscientific approaches to the study and understanding of consciousness; - moreover, the student is able to critically define the building blocks and neurophysiological foundations of conscious experience through the study of visual awareness and visual illusions as well as the volatility of conscious experience through the evaluation of clinical cases.

Course contents

The course takes place during the first semester (from September to November 2026). Classes are held at the Cesena campus, located at Via dell'Università 50, Cesena (FC).

The questions surrounding consciousness and self-awareness have fascinated humans since the dawn of time, giving rise to significant cultural constructs and spiritual endeavours. In recent years, neuroscientific methods have begun to provide important insights into different brain / mind states and the components that make up our sense of self. The module aims to build up a critical thinking on the subject and provide in depth knowledge of the neural bases and the functional mechanisms underlying consciousness, self-awareness and their altered states from a neuroscientific perspective.

Lectures will be held in English

Specific contents:

• A historical perspective on the philosophical, psychological and neuroscientific approaches in the study and understanding of consciousness.
  
• Critical definition of the building blocks of conscious experience through the study of visual awareness and visual illusions; 
• the main theories of, and current neuroscientific approaches to the investigation of consciousness and self-awareness. Novel neuroscientific perspectives to answer old questions around consciousness and the self.
• Different brain states associated with different conscious states (e.g. schizophrenia, coma, sleep, meditation etc.): tracking the neurophysiological foundation leading to experiential consequences of altered conscious states.
• Free will and the functional role of consciousness.
• The volatility of conscious experience: evaluation of clinical cases.
• Artificial intelligence and conscious experience.

Readings/Bibliography

Scientific articles and lecture material will be available on the module website and will represent the core material needed for passing the exam.

Suggested readings:

• Consciousness: An Introduction. Second Edition. Edited by Blakemore S. UK Edition: Taylor & Francis. London. Originally published by Hodder and Stoughton. June 2010. ISBN-10 144410487X, ISBN-13 978-1444104875.
• Being You: A New Science of Consciousness. Author: Anil Seth. Edited by Faber & Faber. 2021. 1st Edition.
  ISBN 10: 1524742872 ISBN 13: 9781524742874

Teaching methods

Lectures on the different topics of the module will be approached in an interactive way, through the discussion of neuroscientific articles, organization of small groups led by the teacher and aimed at in depth discussion and presentations to the classroom. The student will therefore be required to participate actively during the lectures, ask questions about the topics discussed, stimulate the debate and critically discuss the scientific articles assigned during the course.

Assessment methods

Written Examination

The written examination consists of four open-ended questions to be completed within 80 minutes. Answers may be written in either English or Italian.

The examination is designed to assess students' knowledge of the philosophical and neuroscientific perspectives on consciousness, as well as the neural bases and functional mechanisms underlying conscious experience.

Each question is worth up to 7.5 marks. The final grade (out of 30) is obtained by summing the marks awarded for each question.

The following assessment criteria will be applied to each answer:

• Demonstrates broad knowledge and understanding of the topic being assessed (up to 4 marks);
• Shows critical analysis and the ability to integrate different aspects of the scientific literature (up to 2 marks);
• Is well written, logically structured, and clearly argued (up to 1.5 marks).

Honours (30 cum laude) will be awarded to students who, in addition to obtaining the maximum score, demonstrate the ability to critically elaborate upon the material and provide an original synthesis of the unresolved issues in the study of consciousness.

Final Grade Scale

• Below 18/30: Failure to answer at least two questions (knowledge limited to only a small portion of the course content).
• 18–19/30: Failure to answer one question (partial preparation of the course material) and/or only partial answers to the questions.
• 20–24/30: Partial knowledge of the course topics, with incomplete or partially developed answers.
• 25–29/30: Good knowledge of a broad range of topics covered in the course, ability to develop independent critical analyses, and appropriate use of discipline-specific terminology.
• 30–30 cum laude: Comprehensive knowledge of the course content, ability to critically analyse and integrate concepts independently, full command of the appropriate terminology, and excellent argumentative and reflective skills.

An early examination session (pre-appello) will be held at the end of the course. It will have the same format and assessment criteria as the official examination sessions.

Examination Regulations

During the examination, the use of any supporting materials is strictly prohibited, including textbooks, scientific articles, notes, and electronic devices (e.g., tablets, smartphones, smartwatches).

With regard to the assessment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is strictly prohibited. Any use of AI during the examination constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Students must register for the examination through the AlmaEsami online system within the official registration deadlines. Students who experience technical difficulties preventing registration before the deadline must promptly notify the Teaching Office (and, in any case, before the official closing of the registration lists) and send an email to Prof. Romei. Admission to the examination under these circumstances is solely at the discretion of the course instructor.

 

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Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible ([https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students]) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint slides, Video Clips, scientific articles

Office hours

See the website of Vincenzo Romei