Course:

Affective Neuroscience
251, 3 credits, 331 Bldg. 160
M 3:15-6:05 PM, 01/14/08-03/10/08

Instructor:

Brian Knutson, Ph.D.
Phone: 650.724.2965
Email: knutson'at'psych.stanford.edu
Office Hours: W 1:00-2:00 PM

Description:

This course aims to give an overview of and historical basis for the emerging field of Affective Neuroscience. Emphasis will be on mapping affective phenomenology and behavior to brain function, including cross-level integration of anatomical, chemical, and electrical data. Readings will come from the text as well as relevant selections from the current literature. Course requirements include a midterm, discussion of assigned readings, and a project proposal.

Primary Text:

Panksepp, J. (1998). Affective Neuroscience. New York: Oxford University Press.


Schedule:

Date Content Readings Findings
01/14/08 Introduction / Historical Background Intro / Ch. 1
01/28/08 Measurement / Theoretical Frameworks Ch. 2 / Ch. 3 Rolls / LeDoux
01/30/08 Neuroanatomy / Electricity Ch. 4 / Ch. 5 Bechara / Davidson
02/04/08 Chemistry / Sleep and arousal Ch. 6 / Ch. 7 Martinez / Maquet
02/11/08 Energy Balance / Midterm Ch. 9 Small
02/25/08 Euphoria / Anger Ch. 8 / Ch. 10 Knutson / Bjork
02/27/08 Fear / Love & Lust Ch. 11 / Ch. 12 Phelps / Bartels
03/03/08 Nurturance / Loneliness Ch. 13 / Ch. 14 Kosfeld / Zubieta
03/10/08 Playfulness / Self-awareness Ch. 15 / Ch. 16 Blakemore / Kelley

Assignments:

Midterm 30%
Project Proposal 30%
Discussion / participation 30%
Attendance 10%

Grading:

  • Midterm: The midterm will be derived from textbook material and subsequent discussion. The goal is to ensure that you are comfortable with anatomical, chemical, and electrical facets of brain function.

  • Experimental Proposal: Proposals will be from 10-20 pages in length and written in APA style (particularly the bibliography). Proposals can apply to any area of affective neuroscience and will include all the elements of a journal article, including Introduction, Methods, Results (projected), and Discussion. You should first complete an outline of the experimental proposal by 02/08/08, on which I will provide feedback. Next, you should complete a rough draft, on which your classmates will comment. The goal of this exercise is to introduce you to the process of academic writing and editing. The final version of the proposal will count 30% towards your total grade and is due at midnight on 03/14/08.

  • Discussion notes: These comments on the readings should be short (<1 page), and should include a brief overview of a chapter plus associated reading (i.e., associated with a one hour "class") and two questions that the chapter and/or reading raised in your mind. You should submit 8 over the course of the quarter (one each week). Submit your comments to me at knutson'at'psych.stanford.edu by 12 pm midnight on the Monday before the Tuesday class occurs. Emailing as text (rather than attachment) is preferred.

  • Deadlines: If you have to turn the proposal in late, you must tell me in advance. 3 points (5%) will be deducted from your proposal grade for each day the paper is late. Likewise, if you must reschedule the midterm, let me know in advance, so we can reschedule it in one session within a week after the others have taken their midterm.

    • last update: 01/18/08