The first day of class started with introductions: who we all were and why we were interested in learning about the brain. The nuns mentioned that they were interested in the brain because it could reveal information more information about what makes us human. They also thought the knowing more about the brain could make them better at meditating. I added a few reasons about why I think it is important that everyone should learn about their brain (toll of neurological disease, life-style choices, education, etc.).
I then presented a few major highlights from the history of western neuroscience. For example, we discussed the thoughts of Aristotle, the work of Galen, and the experiments of Galvani, Volta, Golgi, Ramon y Cajal, Otto Loewi, and Andrew Huxley. I also mentioned the famous cases of Phineas Gage and the patient "Tan" who both suffered damaged to their brain.
Class ended with the "Brain, Brain" activity where the nuns were given an everyday item and they had to list how the item was similar and different from the brain. It was great hearing the nuns compare and contrast their item and the brain in both anatomical and functional ways.
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