SCI 89 — The Science of Sleep: Behavioral Sleep Medicine and Chronic Insomnia
Quarter: Summer
Instructor(s): Parky Lau
Date(s): Jul 9—Aug 6
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Wednesdays
Grade Restriction: NGR only; no credit/letter grade
Class Meeting Time: 7:00—8:30 pm (PT)
Tuition: $325
Refund Deadline: Jul 11
Unit(s): 0
Status: Open
Quarter: Summer
Day: Wednesdays
Duration: 5 weeks
Time: 7:00—8:30 pm (PT)
Date(s): Jul 9—Aug 6
Unit(s): 0
Tuition: $325
Refund Deadline: Jul 11
Instructor(s): Parky Lau
Grade Restriction: NGR only; no credit/letter grade
Recording Available: Yes
Status: Open
Sleep is one of the most powerful tools for cognitive function, emotional resilience, and physical health, yet for many, a good night’s rest feels elusive. Nearly a third of the world struggles with insomnia—difficulty falling, staying asleep, or both—and one in 10 adults meets the criteria for chronic insomnia disorder. Fortunately, insomnia is a treatable condition, and understanding its underlying causes can open the door to lasting improvement. This course explores the science of sleep and evidence-based strategies for overcoming chronic insomnia. Students will learn to assess sleep disorders, distinguish insomnia from other conditions, and explore proven treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. Through lectures, case studies, and discussion, students will discover how to think like a sleep clinician, applying practical strategies to improve sleep quality and daytime well-being. We will also examine research on behavioral therapies and sleep medications, highlighting effective, long-term solutions.
Additional resources from the Stanford Sleep Health and Insomnia Program, including book recommendations, will be available for those interested in further study or treatment options. More details will be provided in class.
PARKY LAU
Postdoctoral Scholar, Stanford Sleep Health and Insomnia Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford Medicine
Parky Lau’s research focuses on understanding ways to improve the delivery and efficacy of healthcare services to better bridge the work in behavioral sleep medicine with the broader community. He has published extensively on sleep health and insomnia in peer-reviewed journal articles and has presented widely at academic conferences. He is the author of The Insomnia Paradox: A Sleep Expert’s Guide to Overcome Insomnia and Change the Way You Think About Sleep. He received a PhD in clinical psychology from Toronto Metropolitan University. Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.