Syllabus Information |
Spring 2025
Nov 23,2024 |
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| GS 201 - Scientific Skepticism - Someone is Wrong on the Internet! |
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Associated Term:
Spring 2025
Learning Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Investigate claims using reliable resources 2. Evaluate trustworthiness of sources (scientific literature, predatory journals, government agencies, media, scientific organizations) 3. Understand and recognize strong vs. weak scientific arguments 4. Understand and recognize logical fallacies in the context of scientific arguments 5. Identify red flags 6. Understand differences between science, pseudoscience, bad science and bullshit 7. Apply this knowledge to assessing likely validity of arguments 8. Learn and recognize M.O.s of pseudoscience (pseudo-experts, cherry picking, innuendo, moving goalposts, self-refuting ideas, etc.) 9. Learn to distinguish skeptics from deniers 10. Ask, answer scientific questions to help evaluate arguments 11. Seek, identify and interpret relevant scientific background 12. Seek, identify and evaluate relevant journalistic background as needed 13. Understand and identify cognitive biases, assumptions, framing in self and others 14. Analyze and debate issues: Formulate goals, tactics, strategies 15. Gather appropriate information, execute plans and modify as appropriate 16. Improve metacognitive skills: Reflect on knowledge and skills 17. Evaluate effectiveness. Propose improvements. Experiment with new ideas and strategies 18. Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of experimental design and scientific studies. Learn to search for and identify scientific consensus 19. Improve understanding of statistics and uncertainty 20. Understand common statistical tools and identify common misuses of statistics 21. Become familiar with, understand and apply skepticism literature on common topics 22. Learn and understand standard arguments (especially PRATTs) on common topics 23. Apply knowledge to discussions and debates 24. Demonstrate openness to other views and intellectual honesty in discussing them 25. Explore impacts of decisions on individuals, communities and the world 26. Examine scientific basis, or lack thereof, for individual and group biases 27. Employ debate strategies that respect others 28. Understand and articulate issues in foundations of science, science communication, media and science, risk assessment, statistics 29. Apply understanding to analysis, discussion and debates of scientific issues Required Materials: Technical Requirements: |
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