HON 120  Spring 2006  [Feder and Larsen] Paper 3: Debunk a Pseudoscience

 

Due at the beginning of class on April 27

 

During this semester we have debunked a number of pseudosciences in class. Select a pseudoscience from the list posted on the course website and write a 5-7 page paper (typed, double-spaced) debunking it in the same manner. Only one student per topic, first come basis. To claim your topic, send email to larsen@ccsu.edu.

 

Your paper should include:

 

1)      A brief introduction of the concept;

 

2)      Supposed evidence put forth by believers;

 

3)      Evidence refuting the claims of the believers and proving the pseudoscience to be invalid.

 

4)      Though the proponents of all of the topics listed claim that scientific evidence supports their views, explain how the topic or claim you researched is, in reality, a "pseudoscience."

 

All papers will include a bibliography and either footnotes or endnotes. Papers without citations will be automatically deducted ten points and then returned for a rewrite before further grading is done. The ten points will not be returned.

 

Each student will give a 10-12 minute presentation on their paper during one of the last four lecture periods of the semester. Presenters will be chosen randomly on each day so each student must be prepared beginning with the first day (April 27). All papers are to be handed in that day regardless of which day the oral presentation is given.