Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the history of neuroscience, with a focus on the major advances in the understanding of the brain and the nervous system over the last two millennia. During the semester we will examine the origins of modern neuroscience and ask ourselves how these origins shape the present and the future of the discipline. In particular, we will adopt an interdisciplinary approach to studying important technological and theoretical breakthroughs, with a focus on their application to epilepsy, Tourette syndrome, Huntington's disease, and other neurological conditions. Students will examine the degree to which the history of neuroscience has been driven by such factors as individuals, cultural beliefs, economics, and politics. These investigations will also touch on a host of ethical and philosophical questions regarding human nature and our ability to understand and transform it.

Course Goals:

Learning goals for this course center on the acquisition of factual material, the fostering of conceptual learning, and the strengthening of communication skills. Specific aims include:

• An appreciation of other disciplines, including their differences and similarities
• An understanding of the possibilities offered by history and neuroscience for comprehending the historical development of neuroscience and neurological disorders
• The establishment of a factual base of knowledge (key terms, methods, names, and dates)
• The fostering an increased consciousness of the scientific process and greater self-awareness on the part of those who practice neuroscience.

In addition, the course assignments (unit summaries, journal writing, and take-home examination) and group discussions (debates) are designed to foster improved written and oral skills as well as the active employment of factual knowledge in the service of making clear and effective arguments.

Required Readings:

Finger, Stanley. Minds Behind the Brain: A History of the Pioneers and Their Discoveries (Oxford University Press, 2000).

Kushner, Howard I. A Cursing Brain? The Histories of Tourette Syndrome (Harvard University Press, 1999).

Wexler, Alice. Mapping Fate: A Memoir of Family, Risk, and Genetic Research (University of California Press, 1995).

Link to list of supplemental readings

Assignments and Activities:

Important Due Dates

Class Policies:

We are prepared to accept late work as long as you are prepared to accept a penalty of ½ letter grade for each day the assignment is late. It is your responsibility to notify us as early as possible of any conflicts with the schedule of assignments or any problems that will prevent you from fulfilling the assignments in a timely manner.

Course Schedule:

INTRODUCTION

UNIT 1: QUESTIONS AND APPROACHES

UNIT 2: EPILEPSY: THE FALLING SICKNESS

Take home assignment due the beginning of class on March 1st.

UNIT 3: I THINK, THEREFORE I AM

Unit Analyses due at the beginning of class, March 15th
Journals are to be submitted for review at the beginning of class, March 17th.

UNIT 4: TOURETTE SYNDROME: NEUROSCIENCE IN CONTEXT

Evaluation: Analysis of DSM definitions due April 5th.

UNIT 5: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN NEUROSCIENCE

General Links
Milestones in Neuroscience Research
Columbia - History of Neuroscience
Society for Neuroscience
History of Neuroscience Forum
Women in Neuroscience

Epilepsy Links
Epilepsy Foundation
SFN Brain Briefing: Epilepsy and GABA
SFN Brain Briefing: Epilepsy Genes
Epilepsy Museum

Tourette Syndrome Links
Tourette Syndrome Association
Tourette Syndrome Links
SFN Brain Briefing: Tourette Syndrome and Dopamine

Huntington's Disease Links
Huntington's Disease Society of America
NINDS Huntingon's Disease Information Page
SFN Brain Briefings: Huntington's Disease Genetics