Choose one of the two topics described below:
Topic 1
Choose one of the conspiracy theories from the list given in the document on CuLearn entitled "Top Ten Conspiracy Theories" (or some other prominent conspiracy theory) and then do the following:
a) State or describe the conspiracy theory as clearly as you can.
b) Identify as clearly as you can the phenomena or events the theory is supposed to explain.
c) What conventional, non-conspiratorial theory or hypothesis, if any, is usually or often accepted as the correct explanation of the phenomena?
Evaluate how plausible or convincing the conspiracy theory is. One thing you might do in your evaluation is to apply the criteria for evaluating explanations given in the lecture on explanation (especially consistency, simplicity, and coherence with background information) but you need not necessarily restrict yourself only to these criteria. (Your main goal in evaluating the conspiracy theory should be to assess as clearly and convincingly as you can how plausible it is in light of all available considerations and evidence.)
Topic 2
Choose an example of what is commonly regarded as a pseudo science and then do the following:
a) Describe clearly, but concisely, in one paragraph the beliefs, theories or assumptions associated with the pseudo science.
b) Discuss the extent to which the mistakes or fallacies of evidence described in the lectures on scientific reasoning and pseudoscience (slides 44-55) are applicable to the pseudoscience you have chosen.
c) Describe a rigorous scientific test that could be applied to the pseudo science to evaluate its truth. In describing your test you must identify clearly:
i. The hypothesis being tested.
ii. The prediction you are using to test it.
iii. How the prediction is implied by the theory.
iv. The experimental conditions or observations that would determine whether the prediction is true or false
Some Common Mistakes to Avoid
? Elaborate, artificial introductions - get to the point fairly quickly
? Repetition, except very selectively for emphasis, and stating (or worse, defending) the obvious
? Being too colloquial, although an informal writing style, including use of the 1st person, is permitted
? Sentences that are too long or complicated to be clear, vagueness, ambiguity, and clichés
? Grammatical mistakes (incorrect use of commas, or incomplete sentences, are common mistakes)
? Using too many quotations (only quote when necessary)
? Padding to get the required length - this is easy for graders to spot
Do not plagiarize: It is the responsibility of each student to understand the meaning of 'plagiarism' as defined in the Carleton University Calendar, and to avoid both committing plagiarism and aiding/abetting plagiarism by other students.