Paranormal Sociology

Catalog description

Why do so many members of our scientifically sophisticated society believe in assertions that scientists have roundly and almost unanimously rejected? Topics covered include the supernatural (ghosts, demons, and hauntings in general), aliens/UFOs, and cryptozoology (bigfoot/yeti/sasquatch, “sea monsters,” and other biological claims). The focus of the class is not on the existence of these phenomena per se, but how and why people believe them, and what are the effects of people holding such beliefs. Semester(s) Offered: Offered as needed