RPSY304 – Paranormal Psychology Master Course Syllabus Course Overview (QM Standards 1.2) Course Description: By combining ideas from the social and natural sciences, as well as religion and philosophy, this course focuses on the importance of skepticism, scientific analysis, and valid logic when evaluating fringe science/paranormal claims concerning topics such as ESP, telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, psychokinesis, PSI dreaming, afterlife channeling, near-death experiences, ghosts, UFOs, alien abductions, astrology, paraphysics, healing art sources and other paranormal topics. Topics will be discussed within the framework of several general goals relevant to the course, which include (a) reviewing a variety of events that are considered to be paranormal, (b) addressing the public’s interest in paranormal phenomena, (c) evaluating and dispelling the myths surrounding paranormal events, (d) encouraging scientific rigor when examining paranormal events, (e) reviewing contemporary research designs and methodology, and (f) reviewing the consequences of erroneous belief systems. The course will be delivered entirely online, including exams, assignments and communication. Course Goals: Upon satisfactory completion of the course, the student will be able to: • Define & evaluate criteria for paranormal phenomena • Recognize and categorize common paranormal phenomena • Describe common explanations for the etiology of paranormal phenomena • Outline effective research methods to investigate specific paranormal phenomena • Integrating, citing and presenting material from a variety of scholarly sources in a professional forum Pre-Requisites (QM Standard 1.7) There are no course prerequisites for this course. Minimum Technical Requirements and Online Resources (QM Standards 1.5 & 1.6) In addition to a web browser (preferable Firefox) that is Blackboard compatible, you will need the other WVROCKS supported technologies outlined in the student policies section. Also, you will need Acrobat Reader and a word processor compatible with Microsoft Word. Online Resources: This course makes use of many online resources. I have made every effort to make sure the links I have are up-to-date. However, due to the changing nature of the web, you may find that a resource is temporarily unavailable or has been removed. If this should happen, please send me an email and I will find an alternative resource or modify the assignment accordingly. Attendance Verification and Financial Aid (QM Standards 1.4) Federal Guidelines require colleges to verify attendance in class. Attendance in a fully online class is verified by active student engagement in an activity. You must complete the Learner Responsibilities Quiz found in the orientation in order to receive verification of attendance. If you have financial aid and/or scholarships and do not complete the activity your financial aid and scholarship checks may be withheld. In addition, you must complete this activity before the first module of your course can be accessed. Instructor Information (QM Standards 1.8 & 5.3) Individual instructors complete this information. Virtual Office Hours I am available in my virtual office by appointment only. Send me an email to set up an appointment. Personal Commitment My personal commitments to you as a participant include: • I will reply to course mail messages within 24 hours; • I will read all discussion postings and will reply where appropriate within 3 days • I will acknowledge my receipt of every course mail message immediately upon reading it. If I am unable to respond to the request or concern at the time of initial reply, I will give you an estimated time for my next reply. • If I am going to be away from the course space for more than a day or two, I will send a message to you indicating the length of my absence. • I will regularly update information regarding due dates in the course announcements. Course Materials (QM Standards 4.1 & 4.4) You will find your required textbook information in the course catalog at http://ilearn- wvrocks.wvnet.edu. All other materials are found in the individual course modules. Grading Policy (QM Standard 3.2) List of Course Assignments with Point Values Point Assignment/Assessment Value MOA1: Orientation Assignment 5 MOA2: Learner Responsibilities Quiz 5 MOA3: Introduction Discussion 5 M1A1: Discussion: Introduction and 20 Preconceptions M1A2: Journal: Critical Thinking Activity – Application with Paranormal 20 Beliefs Scale M1A3: Chapter Check for 20 Understanding M2A1: Discussion: Reaction to Reading 20 Articles M2A2: Journal: Critical Thinking – 20 Develop a Research Design M2A3: Module 2, Check for 20 Understanding M3A1: Discussion: Reaction to Reading 20 Articles M3A2: Journal: Critical Thinking 20 Activity – Paranormal Reaction and Interview M3A3: Module 3, Check for 20 Understanding M4A1: Discussion: Reactions to 20 Reading Articles M4A2: Journal: Critical Thinking 20 Activity – Experiment in Telepathy M4A3: Module 4, Check for 20 Understanding M5A1: Discussion: Reactions to 20 Reading Articles M5A2: Journal: Critical Thinking Activity – Experiment in Remote 20 Viewing M5A3: Module 5, Check for 20 Understanding M6A1: Discussion: Reaction to Reading 20 Articles M6A2: Journal: Critical Thinking 20 Activity M6A3: Module 6, Check for 20 Understanding M7A1: Discussion: Reactions to 20 Reading Articles M7A2: Journal: Critical Thinking 20 Activity – Lucid Dreaming Group M7A3: Module 7, Check for 20 Understanding M8A1: Discussion: Reactions to 20 Reading Articles M8A2: Journal: Critical Thinking 20 Activity – Chakras Appraisal M8A3: Module 8, Check for 20 Understanding M8A4: Personal Theory of 20 Parapsychology Activity Total Points 515 Grading Scale: • 464-515 pts = A • 412-463 pts = B • 361-411 pts = C • 309-360 pts = D • < 309 pts = F Module Objectives and Assessments (QM Standard 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, 5.1) Module 1: Orientation and Parapsychological Origins After you have completed the readings and content for this module you will be able to: • Identify and give examples of eight phenomena regarded as paranormal by the general public. [M1A1: Discussion: Introduction and Preconceptions, M1A3: Module 1, Check for Understanding] • Delineate between extra sensory perception and psychokinesis. [M1A3: Module 1, Check for Understanding] • Identify and define the major theories of parapsychology. [M1A3: Module 1, Check for Understanding] • Discuss your own preconceptions and prejudices about parapsychological phenomena. [M1A1: Discussion: Introduction and Preconceptions] Module 2: Parapsychological Research and Research Methodologies After you have completed the readings and content for this module you will be able to: • Identify events that are landmark in the history of parapsychology. [M2A3: Module 2, Check for Understanding] • Describe laboratory evidence for ESP. [M2A2: Journal, Critical Thinking Activity - Developing a Research Design, M2A3: Module 2, Check for Understanding] • Identify the physical, physiological, and psychological variable associated with ESP. [M2A3: Module 2, Check for Understanding] • Identify the applications of parapsychology. [M2A2: Journal, Critical Thinking Activity - Developing a Research Design, M2A3: Module 2, Check for Understanding] • Discuss the major research approaches to parapsychology. [M2A2: Journal, Critical Thinking Activity - Developing a Research Design, M2A3: Module 2, Check for Understanding] • Identify the factors related to a sound research design to develop a research study. [M2A2: Journal, Critical Thinking Activity - Developing a Research Design, M2A3: Module 2, Check for Understanding] Module 3: Poltergeist Experiences and Apparitions, UFO’s and Alien Abduction After you have completed the readings and content for this module you will be able to: • Identify the major occurrences of poltergeist experiences. [M3A3: Module 3, Check for Understanding] • Describe the type and frequency of poltergeist phenomena. [M3A3: Module 3, Check for Understanding] • Summarize the current state of parapsychological research on poltergeist phenomena. [M3A3: Module 3, Check for Understanding] • Formulate their own theory explaining poltergeist experiences. [M3A2: Journal, Critical Thinking Activity - Poltergeist Interview] • Discuss your own preconceptions and prejudices about ghosts or aliens. [M3A1: Discussion: Reactions to Reading Articles] • Identify the tools used to investigate the occurrence of ghosts. [M3A3: Module 3, Check for Understanding] • List possible explanations and interpretations for alien abductions. [M3A2: Journal, Critical Thinking Activity - Poltergeist Interview] Module 4: ESP I – Psychokinesis and Telepathy After you have completed the readings and content for this module you will be able to: • Distinguish between psychokinesis and telepathy. [M4A2: Journal: Critical Thinking Activity - Telepathy Experiment, M4A3: Module Check for Understanding] • Explain the concept of telepathy. [M4A3: Module Check for Understanding] • Formulate a definition of "Chi". [M4A1: Discussion: Reactions to Reading Articles] • Examine research regarding telepathy. [M4A1: Discussion: Reactions to Reading Articles, M4A3: Module Check for Understanding] • Conduct an experiment in telepathy. [M4A2: Journal: Critical Thinking Activity - Telepathy Experiment] • Assess the ten steps in mastering telepathy. [M4A2: Journal: Critical Thinking Activity - Telepathy Experiment, M4A3: Module Check for Understanding] Module 5: ESP II – Clairvoyance, Remote Viewing, Precognition, Retrocognition