Art, Music, and the Creative Brain

In this course we will use advances in neuroscience, as well as recent discussions between artists and neuroscientists, to explore the involvement of the brain in in artistic creativity. Focusing primarily upon the visual arts and music, we will learn how human beings sense and perceive images and sounds, how artists exploit the brain mechanisms responsible for such experiences, and how creativity might be understood in neurological terms. We will read from authors investigating the intersection between the arts and neuroscience, and students will present on a visual or musical work of their choice, or their own composition. 3 hrs. sem.