Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2017 - PHIL 131 D100

Selected Topics (3)

Conspiracy Theories

Class Number: 6214

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A specific topic, philosopher or philosophical work to be dealt with as occasion and demand warrant. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic.

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy theories occupy an increasingly important place in public discourse. BC has proved to be an especially fertile ground for conspiracy theories: for instance, 35% believe JFK’s assassination was a conspiracy, 32% believe a cure for cancer is being withheld, and 20% believe that 9/11 was a U.S. government conspiracy (2013 Insights West poll). The phrase `conspiracy theory’ is often used in a derogatory way, but this course will treat conspiratorial beliefs as any other belief, i.e., as being possibly true but requiring critical scrutiny. We will work on defining `conspiracy’, on understanding the social impact of conspiratorial belief, on characterizing the critical thinking challenges specific to assessing conspiracy theories, and on refining the way in which we judge the plausibility of conspiracy theories.  

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The objective of this course is to help students develop enhanced critical thinking skills as they relate to conspiracy theories and, more broadly, to general epistemological reasoning about the justification of one’s beliefs.

Grading

  • 1. Participation (based on constructive involvement in class) 5%
  • 2. A midterm essay (5-6 pages) on the application of an epistemological concept to conspiracy 20%
  • 3. Group presentations on a conspiracy 15%
  • 4. A 10-page written summary of the group presentation 15%
  • 5. A final paper (10-12 pages) analyzing a conspiracy theory 45%

REQUIREMENTS:

Written work for this course will be submitted via Turnitin, a third party service licensed for use by SFU. Turnitin is used for originality checking to help detect plagiarism. Students will be required to create an account with Turnitin, and to submit their work via that account, on the terms stipulated in the agreement between the student and Turnitin. This agreement includes the retention of your submitted work as part of the Turnitin database. Any student with a concern about using the Turnitin service may opt to use an anonymous identity in their interactions with Turnitin. Students who do not intend to use Turnitin in the standard manner must notify the instructor at least two weeks in advance of any submission deadline. In particular, it is the responsibility of any student using the anonymous option (i.e. false name and temporary e-mail address created for the purpose) to inform the instructor such that the instructor can match up the anonymous identity with the student.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is sadly not all that much ready-made material for such a class. As a result, articles and PDFs will be distributed as the course progresses.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS