CHEM 129 Pseudoscience - Fallacies, Absurdities and Scams
Modern society is heavily dependent on science for providing a worldview as well as for forming the basis for technologies permeating every aspect of everyday life. Unfortunately, legitimate science has always been vulnerable to misuse and abuse. Such phenomena range from erroneous application of the scientific method to bias, groupthink, superstition, and intentional distortions intended to confer professional, political or economic advantages. This course analyzes various manifestations and consequences of pseudoscience. The course makes extensive use of case studies and it emphasizes active learning involving student presentations and class discussions.