3.00 Credits
Questions dealing with the mysterious, paranormal, or supernatural have long been answered by offering fantastic explanations-explanations that invoke the occult, paranormal, mystical, and miraculous. For their part, professional scientists typically regard such fantastic explanations as pseudoscience (i.e., "fake science"). Yet pseudoscience has enjoyed renewed interest from an increasingly science-averse audience, especially in America. In this course, students will be challenged to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate alternative interpretations of evidence through an examination of archaeological, historic, and contemporary examples of pseudoscience (e.g., the search for Bigfoot; ancient aliens; climate change denial). By honing the principles of critical thinking, students will be provided the necessary skills to evaluate any claim for themselves, in preparation for informed engagement with the world around them.