85-424 Hemispheric Specialization: Why, How and What?
9 units, Carnegie Mellon University
The brain is divided into two hemispheres, raising a host of questions about brain organization, hemispheric specialization and laterality. Despite all the research devoted to these questions, our understanding of the behavioral significance and neural basis of laterality remains limited. This course will address the questions of why, how and what. We will review the latest data and empirical results but will also develop a coherent theoretical perspective, moving from molecular, genetic and evolutionary considerations to cognitive and clinical factors in the understanding of one of the most fascinating phenomena in neuroscience, neuropsychology, psychiatry, neurology, and cognitive sciences. In addition to tackling a major text in the field The Two Halves of the Brain Edited by Hugdahl and Westerhausen, we will read the latest papers in the field. The class will be almost entirely discussionbased and students will be responsible for doing the readings ahead of time and being prepared for the discussion.
Prerequisites: 85-221 or 85-251 or 85-241
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