MSCI-266C Visual Perception and Neuroaesthetics

3 Credits

How do artists create the sensation of movement in a still image? Why can certain colors or sounds evoke specific emotional responses? This course seeks to provide tentative answers to these questions and others through the lens of the brain's structure and function. We will begin by laying the foundation for neuroscience: the neuron doctrine and how these specialized cells communicate and form networks. We will then apply these basic concepts to the visual system. Students will learn how light stimuli are converted to neural signals as well as the processes by which the brain forms mental images from these inputs. Students will also get to explore non-visual sensory systems. We will end the course by covering higher cognitive functions, including emotions and memory, and their relationship to evaluation of artistic works. Upon completion, this course is worth three (3) credits and fulfills the General Education MSCI CORE requirement.