Course Description
Distinguishing science from pseudoscience and exploring the psychology of belief in extraordinary, "weird" phenomena, such as psychic abilities, alien abductions, the paranormal, superstition, divination, and alternative healing and diagnosing practices. Prerequisite: Grade of at least a C- in PSY 121.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- To understand and use the scientific method as a tool to test ordinary and extraordinary claims about human behavior
- To assess how an individual's experiences and beliefs are influenced by the context in which they were derived
- To critically evaluate his or her own beliefs, as well as others' arguments and claims about human behavior, such as those that appear in scientific or popular media.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Exams | 75% |
| Quizzes | 5% |
| In-Class Attention/Discussion Questions | 20% |
Grading Scale:
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 92-100% | A |
| 90-91% | A- |
| 88-89% | B+ |
| 82-87% | B |
| 80-81% | B- |
| 78-79% | C+ |
| 72-77% | C |
| 70-71% | C- |
| 68-69% | D+ |
| 62-67% | D |
| 60-61% | D- |
| 59% and below | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Assessed via in-class attention/discussion questions (20% of grade)
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
How To Think Straight About Psychology (11th Edition) by Keith E. Stanovich (Pearson Education, Inc.).
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.