AK/NATS 1850 6.0A
Science and Pseudoscience
Course
Outline
Week
I
1 Introduction
' Science and Pseudoscience: what's the difference?
2 Evidence
Nature and "Truth" / Worldviews
3 FILM:
"Pseudoscience. Do-it-yourself Science"
T
29 June
readings:
01,
02
1 The
scientific revolution as the triumph of rational thought
2 The
scientific revolution as the culmination of occultism
3 Class
discussion on validity of the two models.
W
30 June
readings:
S1,
S2, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07
1 Pop
literature on modern "fringe"/"alternate" topics
2 FILM:
"Screams of Reason"
3 Current
attitudes to hardcore "science" vs. alternative "science"
R
1 July
NO
CLASS
-- Canada Day
F
2 July
readings:
08,
09, 10, 11
1 Social
Organization of Knowledge: models, importance, science
2 Social
Organization of Knowledge: accountability and enforcement
3
Week
II: Astronomical Sciences I
:
Astrology, Velikovsky, Bermuda Triangle
M
5 July
readings:
12,
13, 14
1 Astrology:
background and systematics
2 Astrology:
data set, data analysis, testing, alternate hypotheses, testability
3
T
6 July
readings:
15,
16, 17, 18
1 Astrology:
psychology of belief, Forer effect, assessment of evidence and belief
2
3 Research
Bibliography Workshop
:
Sources, Citing, and Commentary.
W
7 July
NO
CLASS
R
8 July
readings:
19,
20
1 Velikovsky:
worlds in collision (insiders and outsiders)
2 Velikovsky:
critics and supporters
3
F
9 July
1 Bermuda
Triangle: background and "evidence"
2 Bermuda
Triangle: solutions
3
Research
Biblio-Essays Due
Week
III: Astronomical Sciences II:
UFOs,
Aliens
M
12 July
1 MIDTERM
#1:
multiple choice only
2
3 Optional
group discussion on "how science works" for interested parties.
T
13 July
readings:
21,
22
1 UFOs:
Evidence and alternate explanations
2 UFOs:
Roswell and connections
3
W
14 July
readings:
23,
S6
1 UFOs:
Analyzing theories, SETI
2 UFOs:
pop psychology, angles, and the X-files
3
R
15 July
readings:
24
1 FILM:
"UFOs are real!"
2 Aliens:
alien autopsy
3
F
16 July
readings
25,
25A
1 Authority
of knowledge claims: personal, institutional
2 "Incorrect"
science: N-rays, cold fusion, and phlogiston
3
Week
IV: Biological Sciences:
Evolution, Creationism, Eugenics, Sociobiology, Rushdon Affair,
"Geneticism"
M
19 July
readings:
S9,
S10, S11
1 Charles
Darwin and his predecessors; history of Darwinism
2 FILM:
"God, Darwin, and Dinosaurs"
3 Successors
to Darwinism: Spencer, Scopes
T
20 July
readings:
26,
27
(end
of
25
)
1 Creationism:
argument from design
2 Creation
science: science or faith? Nature of evidence
3
W
21 July
readings:
28,
29
R
22 July
readings:
30,
31
1 Sociobiology:
inheritor of eugenics or new science
2 J.
Phillipe Rushdon: a local "superstar"
3
F
23 July
readings:
32
1 "Geneticism":
scientific explanation for...
2 Science
to an End:
The
Bell Curve
(or Curse), Mismeasure of Man
3
Week
V: Historical "Science":
Revisionsim, Hoaxes
M
26 July
1 MIDTERM
#2:
multiple choice (20%) and perhaps short answer (5%)
2
3 Optional
group discussion on "correct science" for interested parties.
T
27 July
readings:
S13,
S14, S15
1 Historical
Revisionism: the nature of history
2 Historical
Revisionism: Out of Africa & Holocaust denial.
3
W
28 July
readings:
33
1 Social
"Sciences" - are psych-/socio-/anthro-/archae-
"ologies" sciences?
2
Archaeological
hoaxes: Piltdown, Cardiff
3
R
29 July
readings:
34
1 Diffusionism
in history: Vikings, Hyerdal, and the lost tribes of Israel
2
3 FILM:
TBA
F
30 July
readings:
S5
1 Alternative
Medicine: strategies and logics
2 Homeopathy:
the interaction of science and money
3
Week
VI: Psychological Sciences:
ESP, Parapsychology
M
2 August
NO
CLASS
- August Civic Holiday
T
3 August
readings:
35,
36
1 Parapsychology:
background and spiritualism
2 Parapsychology:
(de)legitimization
3
W
4 August
readings:
S4,
S16, S17
1 Parapsychology:
further and final(?) remarks
2 Reflections
on science, pseudoscience, and marginal knowledge systems
3
R
5 August
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