This course provides the opportunity to study the relationship between creativity and altered states of consciousness through historical, cultural, and psychological perspectives. Focusing on the connection between artistic production and abnormal or extraordinary forms of perception, it grounds creativity as both a biological human capacity and a historically and culturally contingent category. Potential topics may include artistic activity in dialogue with intoxication and addiction, religion and spirituality, meditation and wellness, sports and physical exertion, dreams and liminal states, mental and physical illness, and technologically mediated consciousness.
This course provides the opportunity to study the relationship between creativity and altered states of consciousness through historical, cultural, and psychological perspectives. Focusing on the connection between artistic production and abnormal or extraordinary forms of perception, it grounds creativity as both a biological human capacity and a historically and culturally contingent category. Potential topics may include artistic activity in dialogue with intoxication and addiction, religion and spirituality, meditation and wellness, sports and physical exertion, dreams and liminal states, mental and physical illness, and technologically mediated consciousness.
