JAN 116-01 - Atlantis and Aliens: Examining History’s Biggest Hoaxes, Myths, and Pseudoscientific Claims

Level:  100-level

Course Times:  12:00pm - 2:40pm

Course Materials Fee:  $75

Instructor(s):  Laura White   

Email:  lgw4@stmarys-ca.edu

This course aims to scrutinize fantastic or extraordinary scientific claims and fact(oids) across a broad spectrum of media, which includes movies, books, documentaries, and increasingly, through social media and the internet. During the class, we will practice skeptical criticism of outlandish claims regarding ancient cultures, fanciful archaeological finds, and implausible anthropology, including topics such as ancient aliens, lost civilizations, Atlantis, giants, mummy curses, and more! Through this process, we will learn how to look for ulterior motivations behind seemingly silly stories about human history, and we will gain the skills needed to identify and refute bad science, misleading assertions, outright hoaxes, and pseudoscientific claims.

Prerequisites & Notes
None

Credits: 3