Quest Themes: The Human Mind

Last updated on 09/29/05

On this page:

___________

Introduction

Exploring the Theme

Evaluation

Special Topics

Text Resources

Internet Resources

E-Mail Dallas Alexander,, Quest Teacher

For More Information

Course Map
Course Calendar
Virtual Classroom
Academic Integrity Policy
Field Trip Permission Slip (Word Doc)

Class Notes on Mind Philosophy

Introduction to Mind Philosophy
20th Century Approaches to Brain/Mind Studies
Consciousness and the Brain/Mind Problem
The Qualities of Consciousness
Review and Summary

Assignments and Projects

Online Discussion 5 points each

Research & Writing
Assignment Options 25 pts x 2
DUE FRIDAY, MARCH 4

Brain Map Project 20 pts
DUE WEDNESDAY, FEB 16

Memory Lab (Word Doc) 10 pts

Mini Research Quest-
Altered States 20 pts

Improving the Mind- Student-Run Workshops 35 pts

Primate Lab 10 points

Mid-Semester Review- 10 points

Model School 25 points

AI Lab- 10 points

AI Debate- 20 points:
Resolve 1 / Resolve 2
Names and Terms
Resources

Game Theory Lab 10 points

Profiles in Genius 50 points

Introduction

The students who had the opportunity to take Future Studies in Quest last year may recall the quote from Start Trek writer, David Gerrold, stating that space was not the final frontier but that space would be the place where that final frontier will be met. I confess that I do not know whether Gerrold is right but I suspect that he is at least partially correct in that the final frontier is not space. Rather, I believe, as do many people eminently more qualified than I, that the final frontier lies in the exploration of our own humanity. In the future, a large portion of this exploration may take place somewhere other than Earth but the exploration must begin here if we are to survive and flourish as a species on this planet and in this universe.

Clearly, all that we think we know and all that comprises our personal and collective realities as humans reside in our own elusive minds. Believed by many, including me, to be a manifestation of an evolved and sufficiently complex brain, the search for the mind has been the focus of debate among philosophers and, more recently, scientists. As a multidisciplinary experience, we will examine the many facets of this search for ourselves. We will celebrate our great accomplishments and recognize our many failings. We will examine the questions raised, theories offered and the real world implications of our quest to understand the origin and the potential of the human mind.

Exploring the Theme

The strategy we will use to explore the topic of the human mind will consist of activities designed to find the latest and best thinking on a variety of important questions. Questions will include, but are not limited to, the following:

What does it mean to be conscious?
What are the origins of consciousness?
What are the historical, philosophical and scientific views regarding the relationship between the brain and mind?
What separates humans from other primates?
Will there be evolution in the future?
What is intelligence?
What role do emotions play in our intellectual and moral development?
What is the relationship between nature and nurture in determining who we are?
Are we rational by nature?
What can we really know?
What tools do we use to organize and classify ourselves?
Can we and should we put minds into machines?
What does all of this mean to you as a high school student?
Can we improve the mind?

We will address these questions by exploring the following topics related to the theme:

Introduction to the theme: A merging of disciplines
Introducing the brain: The basics of brain anatomy and function
Where does the mind reside? Answers throughout history
The human animal: The evolutionary history of the brain
Constructing reality: Our brains' interaction with the universe from the Rationalist and Empiricist perspectives (readings, discussions and debate)
Constructing models: Measuring brain performance-- Does IQ measure intelligence?
Enhancing brain performance: The science of learning applied to school design
Humans, computers and consciousness: Science fiction and fact
A Celebration of Human Thought and Creativity: Great Ideas That Changed Our World

Over the course of the semester, you will be engaged in a variety of activities including, but not limited to, topic preview discussions and journal writing, Socratic Seminar, research quests, post-research discussions, the presentation of two formal position papers, videos, guest speakers and student-designed mini-seminars.. Text-based resources are available in the classroom and titles are listed. However, it is essential for you to consider the Library and the Internet as extensions of the classroom.

Evaluation

You will be graded each marking period based on the percentage of available points earned. Points accumulate over the three marking periods. Your final grade will be determined by the percentage of total points earned over the entire semester. Points are earned by the successful completion of journal assignments, individual and group research quests, projects and presentations. Bonus points are available through effective class participation and your willingness to seek and share related materials with the class.

Some examples of activities and point values include:

E-Journals - 5 points each
Debates, Group Projects, Pathfinders and Position Papers- 25 points each
A Celebration of the Human Mind / Web Pages and Mini-Seminars- 50 points

You will be provided with details including an evaluation rubric for each of the activities above. Point value for other activities will be negotiated as needed.

Position Paper

Position papers demonstrate to me that you have done a significant amount of high level thinking on a specific aspect of our theme and that you can support and organize your thoughts in a clear, coherent manner. You paper will be due during the last week of the first marking period. I know that this due date falls during a very busy time in the semester. Consequently, I urge you not to procrastinate. For the paper, you will be asked to do the following:

Clearly define a topic, an essential question and a position statement relative to the essential question.
Provide some historical background for the discussion.
Identify and discuss the various points of view related to the statement.
Defend or refute the statement by clearly articulating your point of view and support your point of view with relevant arguments.
Discuss the implications if your point of view is proven to be correct.

Support Link for Developing a Thesis

Support Link for Evaluating Sources

Sample Paper

Please observe the following formatting guideline:

Papers should be word processed, double spaced, and in 12 point font. Please spell-check.
Please use several reputable sources and credit them with an appropriate referencing strategy.
Papers should be 3 to 5 pages but may exceed 5 pages, if appropriate.
Please prepare a brief summary of your paper to distribute, as you will present your paper for discussion.
Presentations Using PowerPoint

Class Presentation Checklist

Position Paper Checklist

Some sample position statements in response to questions posed in the study of various aspects of the mind might include:

Evolution has assured that we are different in more ways from the rest of life on earth than we are the same.

We can only "know" what our senses reveal.

The test I took to get into this wonderful course accurately measured my intelligence.

Mr. Spock was wrong. Emotion and intelligence are intricately linked.

Intelligence is a product of genetic inheritance.

An appreciation for the science of learning has been evident in my school career.

"Mr. Data is a toaster." Computers will never become sentient.

Student-Selected Special Topics

Student-Run Workshops

Part of the course requirement is to pursue areas of interest under the theme independently and to share independent learning with the rest of the class in an engaging way. Therefore, each student, either independently or in pairs, will develop and present a workshop on an approved topic of his/her choosing (WORKSHOP RUBRIC). In order to demonstrate, prior to the workshop, that a significant amount of research has taken place, each presenter will create a web-based research pathfinder (Pathfinder Template Pathfinder Assessment Rubric).

A Celebration of Human Thought and Creativity
Ideas that Changed the World

Members of the class will conduct independent investigations of transformational ideas in areas of human endeavor of the students' choosing. Students will study the individuals who advanced the ideas that shaped our reality today. The advancements will be measured against the context of the times, the endurance of the ideas, the degree to which the advancement was revolutionary and/or changed the way we live, and other criteria we will establish as a class.

As a culminating project, each student will select the individual or individuals s/he believes made the most significant contribution to the specific area of inquiry. A formal, oral and electronic presentation will be made introducing the class to the individual (s), providing background on the contribution of the chosen individual (s) to the field of inquiry, discussing other individuals considered and providing a rationale for the choice. Students will be prepared to defend this choice in discussion and Q & A. The electronic profile will also include a pathfinder for further investigation.

Areas of inquiry include, but are not limited to, a sub-field of the following: Science, Technology, Literature, Language, Government, Religion, Art, Music & Philosophy.

More info

Presentation Organizer and Evaluation Form

Text Resources

Quest topics and activities will be well supported with numerous titles available through our library and classroom collection. Books may be borrowed to support any in-class and outside assignments. Occasionally, mandatory reading assignments will be made from a specific chapter of a specific title in the collection or from Internet resources listed below.

Internet Resources

Mind Philosophy	Perspectives on the Brain/Mind Relationship	Neural Science	Primate and Evolutionary Studies
The Brain and Gender	Educating the Human Brain	Cognitive Science and AI	A Celebration of Human Creativity
General Resources for the Study of Philosophy	Philosophical Humor	Brain Games and Puzzles	Research / Presentation Resources