LFU:online

To acquire critical thinking skills by learning how to distinguish between pseudoscience and valid, verifiable, testable scientific theories and methods. 

Student Learning Outcomes: After successfully completing this course, students should: 

-          Be familiar with the famous case studies in anthropology involving pseudo-science. 

-          Learn to apply anthropological, especially archaeological, methods to researching such phenomenon. 

-          Understand scientific methods, like convergence of evidence, and scientific principles, like Occam's razor. 

-          Be able to distinguish empirical data from pseudo-scientific evidence.  

-          Be able to critically evaluate the difference between science and pseudo-science methods and rationale. 

The focus of this course is on a rational examination of faddish but fallacious (false) suppositions related to human origins and ancient cultures using the methods of physical anthropology and archaeology. Topics will include areas in anthropology popularized by sensationalist authors, archaeological hoaxes and pseudoscience, such as, the lost continent of Atlantis, the Piltdown Fraud, the Shroud of Turin, and Holocaust denial. The objective is to examine wildly popular but inaccurate claims in the context of the scientific method. The course will also examine actual cases, like that of Otzi the Iceman (found in the Southern Alps near Innsbruck), where the meticulously documented research demonstrates how science approaches and answers questions of human origin. Students will hone their critical thinking skills through class readings and discussions and field trips.

The University of New Orleans International Summer School program has a mandatory class attendance policy. All students are required to attend class for all morning classes and any required afternoon and/or weekend fields trips and lectures. No unexcused absences are allowed. However, LFU students who have to miss a UNO class due to LFU examinations in the first two weeks of our program, can receive one excused absence for this. Any further unexcused absences will result in an academic penalty. Each faculty member determines the penalty for missed classes. Most professors deduct a letter grade for each additional missed class day. For details, please refer to your course syllabi, which will be distributed on the first day of class. The listed ECTS credits are a recommendation by the University of New Orleans Innsbruck Summer School, based on contact hours, anticipated out-of-classroom requirements such as field trips, and projected workload for readings, assignments, and exam preparation. Mail: Center-New-Orleans@uibk.ac.at