PSYC 13Q: Connections between the sleep and awake worlds

Course Description

Sleep can be a window into much of our awake worlds- anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, safety, early morning travel plans.. and so much more. If you think of a recent night in which you experienced worse sleep, you might be able to identify something from your awake world that contributed. Much of our awake world is informed by emotion, thoughts, and perception. One could argue that emotion, thoughts, and perception shape the world, rather than there being one true reality. This course will explore the fundamentals of sleep, the fundamentals of navigating emotions, and the intersection between the two. Specifically, you’ll learn the basics of human sleep science, the principles of a type of psychotherapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and how CBT tools can be applied to sleep difficulties.

Break-out sessions within each lecture provide opportunities for students to ask questions and to discuss a topic in greater depth. The course will highlight the mind body connection. Students will have the opportunity to complete their own project examining a sleep-wake connection of interest. Potential topics will be provided (discrimination and sleep, menstruation and sleep, highschool start times, shift work and sleep, and more).