LSFY113-11:
Science vs. Pseudoscience
Spring 2008: MWF
Instructor: Pamela J. Trotter, Ph.D.
Office: Sc-407 Phone: 794-3469
Lab: SC-427 Lab Phone: 794-3491
E-mail: pamtrotter@augustana.edu
Office Hours: TBA and by
appointment
Required Texts:
·
Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. They
Say/I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing.
·
Kida, Thomas. Don’t Believe Everything You
Think: The 6 Basic Mistakes We Make in Thinking.
·
Assorted readings posted on the LSFY113-11 Moodle site at http://moodle.augustana.edu
Course Objectives:
·
First-Year
Program: A liberal arts education promotes the development of a
fully-engaged life within and beyond one’s profession, a “life well-lived”. In
the first year program, we consider our commitment to lead and serve
others. A liberal arts education also
considers the questions that have always confronted humans……Is there meaning in
nature? What is “the society”? What is self?
·
Specific
Goals for Spring Term: We will learn to develop and present our positions.
Specifically, you will be expected to….
o
Define a subject and state a position
o
State clear claims to support the position
o
Use relevant evidence to support the claim
o
Consider rival claims
o
State limitations and misgivings
o
Reinforce your position
o
Critique your own work and that of others
Description of this Course:
How do you decide
what to believe: astrology vs. astronomy, parapsychology (e.g., ESP,
telekinesis) or psychology, alternative health practices vs. mainstream
medicine? In this course, we will examine the differences between
scientific and pseudoscientific thinking. We will discuss the mistakes we
commonly make in thinking and perception and how to recognize and avoid these
mistakes.
Some of the
specific topics to be covered include:
o
Evidence
and data
o
Argument
development
o
Scientific
thinking and studies
o
Hallmarks
of pseudoscience
o
Fallacious reasoning and mistakes we make in perception
o
Science
and pseudoscience in the media
Course
Components:
For more information on individual assignments, quizzes and exams, see additional links on the LSFY113-11 homepage at http://moodle.augustana.edu. The enrollment key is “SCIENCE”.
·
Class participation is an
IMPORTANT component of this course. Unexcused absences will result
in grade penalties. Excused absences include mandatory
participation in field trips or athletic events sponsored by the
college or approved moderate to serious illness. If excessive
absences by participation in field trips or athletic events are anticipated,
this issue needs to be discussed with Dr. Trotter at the beginning of the term.
Missing more than 15% of class meetings for these types of events is not
acceptable. Proof of an illness can be provided by a bill from a
doctor's office visit. These events and assignments determine
your participation grade:
1.
Participation in the “Culture Wars” role-playing
event on Tuesday, March 18th at
2. Attending the convocation by James Hunter entitled “The Culture War Thesis” on Thursday, March 20th at 10:30 in Centennial Hall and complete a summary essay afterwards -see Moodle site for further instructions.
3.
Attending at least two additional convocations
(schedule attached) and complete a summary essay afterwards -see Moodle site
for further instructions.
4.
Attending class periods. In-class activities are
planned and required, and in most cases cannot be made-up outside of
class. This type of absence will result in either loss of complete credit
for the assignment or partial loss as determined by Dr. Trotter.
5.
Attend the oral presentations at the end of the
term. Notes: 1) you may miss only one day of the last two
weeks of the course for an excused absence; otherwise you will be penalized for
each additional day regardless of excuse; 2) if you are disruptive or
not attentive during any of the presentations given on a single
day, it will be counted as an unexcused absence for the
entire lecture period.
·
Homework assignments include outlines, summaries and write-ups as well
as reading quizzes that are assigned to be worked on outside of class.
1.
Out-of-class assignments. Several class
activities and/or reading assignments will include write-ups that will be
turned in.
2.
·
Argument paper This includes
all of the components of the assignment.
1.
Choosing the topic on time; 2%
2. Annotated bibliography A; 8%
3.
Annotated bibliography B; 10%
4.
Argument map/outline of paper; 10%
5.
First draft of paper; 20%
6. Final draft of paper; 50%
·
Oral Presentation with another
student to present the topic of your argument paper to the class.
·
Mid-term
and Final Exams will be given in class. More information will be
provided.
**The Final Exam is scheduled
for Tuesday, May 20th,
Note: I will not reschedule a final exam without approval of the
Grading:
·
Weighting
of components
Class participation (in-class
activities, required events): 30%
Homework (assignments, reading
quizzes): 10%
Argument paper (including all
parts): 30%
Oral Presentation: 10%
Mid-term and Final Exams: 20%
·
Grading
scale: This is an approximate scale. REMEMBER, grades are earned not given.
|
A |
92% and above |
C+ |
78-79.9% |
|
A- |
90-91.9% |
C |
72-77.9% |
|
B+ |
88-89.9% |
C- |
68-71.9% |
|
B |
82-87.9% |
D |
60-67.9% |
|
B- |
80-81.9% |
F |
Below 59.9% |
Academic Integrity:
The
Honor Code of Augustana College, which you signed upon registering, holds each
individual accountable to the community for academic dishonesty, including
cheating, lying, stealing and plagiarism. By turning in any work in this
class you are, in effect, saying, "In compliance with the Augustana Honor
Code, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this piece of
work."
For further
information:
http://www.augustana.edu/studentlife/dean/handbook0607/academic/honorcode.php
Tentative Course Schedule:
For up-to-date information see the LSFY113-11 page on http://moodle.augustana.edu