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Welcome to SLEEP Course

Course Information

  • Course Title: NSC/PSY 3375 - Spring 2024

  • Instructor: Dr. Michael Scullin

  • Class Meetings: MWF @ 11:15am in BSB A.108

  • Communication: Email - Michael Scullin@baylor.edu

  • Drop-in Hours: MWF 9am-10am (or by appointment) BSB A.330

Course Overview

Evolutionary Perspectives on Sleep

  • Quotation by Allan Rechtschaffen: "If sleep does not serve an absolutely vital function, then it is the biggest mistake the evolutionary process has ever made…"

    • This statement highlights the apparent paradox of sleep as a behavior that seems maladaptive yet is universally present in higher animals.

    • It leads to a question of what evolutionary pressures could have led to the development of sleep.

Course Topics and Purpose

  • Primary Focus: Explore the psychological and neurobiological functions of sleep, academic rigor through scientific methodologies, and promotion of sleep health in the community.

  • Goals:

    • Build knowledge of sleep tenets in psychology and neuroscience.

    • Demonstrate comprehension of scientific methodologies and statistics related to sleep research.

    • Apply expertise for sleep health in self and community settings.

Course Components

Assignments and Assessments

  • Weekly online quizzes

  • Test 1 and Test 2

  • Term Project: Engaging community-based outreach project centered on sleep science.

    • Examples: interactive exhibits, children's books, policy maker meetings, etc.

  • Final Exam scheduled for the end of the term.

Methodologies for Reading Journal Articles

  • Reading Techniques:

    • Journal articles are denser than textbooks and use specialized terminology.

    • Effective Reading is critical, suggesting to allocate at least 1 hour per article.

    • Key Components to Identify:

    • Rationale for research

    • Study designs (experimental vs. correlational)

    • Sample demographics

    • Independent and dependent variables

    • Significant results and authors’ conclusions

    • Study limitations

  • Critical Analysis: Encourage skepticism and connections to class material and other readings.

Engaged Learning Term Project

  • Project Outline:

    1. Choose to work solo or with a partner.

    2. Present three project ideas in class for feedback.

    3. Prepare a proposal to be submitted by designated deadlines.

    4. Execute the project with a focus on engaging 20 non-college individuals.

    5. Create a summary report to present via YouTube.

    6. Peer reviews and comments on fellow group projects.

    • Evaluation Criteria:

    • Commendable: Full adherence to deadlines, achievement of quality standards.

    • Acceptable: Minimal deviations from guidelines.

    • Unacceptable: Non-completion penalized heavily.

Academic Integrity

  • Expectations: All submitted work must reflect individual effort. Violations (cheating, plagiarism) reported to the Honor Council.

Student Support Resources

  • Academic Success: Office hours and resources at the Paul L. Foster Success Center.

  • Accommodations: Students with disabilities to inform the instructor to receive necessary adjustments.

  • Resources for First-Generation College Students: Baylor's support structure.

  • Veterans Support: Specific resources available for military connected students.

  • Basic Needs Assistance: Addressing food insecurity on campus.

  • Mental Health Support: CARE team for assistance on personal issues affecting academics.

Course Schedule

Topics and Readings

  • Week 1: The Big Question About Sleep (History, Chapter 1)

  • Week 2: Universals of Sleep & Cultural Adaptations (Reading - Cousins 2019, Lesku 2022)

  • Week 4: Sleep Measurement & Polysomnography (Dement 2003)

  • Week 6: Circadian Rhythms and Neurobiology of Sleep (Cirelli 2017)

  • Testing Dates:

    • Test 1 at end of February

    • Test 2 in April

Sleep Research History

Notable Figures

  • Dr. Nathaniel Kleitman (1895-1999): Established modern sleep research and the first sleep lab.

  • Dr. William Dement (1928-2020): Key figure in narcolepsy research and founder of SLEEP journal.

Evolution of Sleep Understanding

  • Historical perspectives on sleep noted in ancient texts (e.g., religious contexts from the Bible,
    Quran) and contributions from Greek philosophers.

  • Evolutionary perspectives derived from mammalian studies indicate sleep serves critical biological functions.

Philosophical Considerations of Sleep

  • Cultural Implications: How sleep practices and beliefs vary across cultures such as siesta traditions in Spain versus napping in North America.

  • Dream Interpretation Across Cultures: Various cultural symbols related to dreams (e.g., snakes, birds) showing differing interpretations.

  • Animal Sleep Comparison: A discussion of how sleep characteristics vary in the animal kingdom from mammals to insects.

Conclusion

  • Understanding sleep is multi-faceted involving evolutionary biology, culture, psychology, and modern practices.

  • Fostering a comprehensive understanding of sleep can enhance personal well-being and community health initiatives.