Bio 43: Media on the Mind is taught in Spring Quarter by Dr. Andrea Nicholas.
Dr. Andrea Nicholas
Course Objective:
The brain, once thought to be hardwired, is now known to be highly adaptive in response to an ever-changing environment. Growing evidence suggests that modern technology, namely the internet and social networking may be rewiring the way we think. This course will provide an overview of neural plasticity in the wake of the digital age and explore current research, showing how the mind that evolved to change its environment is inadvertently adapting its own physiology.
Sample Syllabus:
| 1 | Innovation and the speed of thought |
| 2 | Getting Smarter… |
| 3 | Tesla, RCA, Zenith & empathy |
| 4 | Squirrel! Information and the Attention Deficit. |
| 5 | Multitasking. Jack of all trades, master of none |
| 6 | Internet Addiction |
| 7 | Surfing, Learning, and Memory. Why know it, if I can find it? |
| 8 | It all goes into the pot |
| 9 | Review |
| 10 | EXAM I |
| 11 | Where do emotions lie? And do I even care? |
| 12 | Gaming, virtual, and visual processing…its just like being there. |
| 13 | Video Game Excitation |
| 14 | Compulsive Gamer |
| 15 | Dystextia? |
| 16 | Will too much screen time make me lose touch? |
| 17 | The Mirror in the Ear |
| 18 | I Think Therefore I Am |
| 19 | Review |
| 20 | EXAM II |
| 21 | You just don’t do it for me, baby… |
| 22 | The dependent responder…pathways of reward and addiction. |
| 23 | The Messager |
| 24 | Is anybody out there? The perception of being in touch. |
| 25 | Memorial Day Holiday |
| 26 | Time invasion. |
| 27 | Which Me am I reacting to? |
| 28 | The shrinking expanding universe. Perception of space. |
| 29 | Mind over Matter…The future will be a compensatory gain. |
| 30 | Review |
| 31 | FINAL EXAM |