The Paranormal Belief/Conspiracy Theory Project All of the course outcomes will

The Paranormal Belief/Conspiracy Theory Project
All of the course outcomes will be addressed by this assignment, but these will be emphasized:
• Formulate significant research questions and craft a strong research proposal
• Understanding the many forces that inhibit perception, trip-up logic, and cause self-deception
• Recognize flaws in logic in the readings and write logically sound sentences and arguments
• Identify and explain research-based writing strategies used in your own work and in the work of others
Your job in this paper is to choose a paranormal belief, a conspiracy theory, or an item of conventional wisdom that people accept without much critical thought about it, research it thoroughly, and write a 3 to 5 page argumentative essay in which you present your findings and determine whether or not the claim has merit. You will need at least four (4) credible sources for this paper. Use proper MLA style documentation. Remember to include a Works Cited page. The due date is September 29th, unless otherwise notified.
Most people go on about their lives accepting the apparent truth of certain claims. Some people even base important decisions based on nothing more than blind assumptions. This assignment’s underlying objectives are to show you how thinking and perception can go wrong and to develop your critical-thinking skills.
Choose a topic that you can examine objectively. Do not pick a belief which you hold dearly and cannot abide any facts or evidence that is critical of your stance on the subject. Pick something you can scrutinize without emotional and/or psychological investment in the outcome of your findings. View your sources with skepticism. Think of the subject as the accusation and yourself as the judge. What does the evidence tell you? Formulate your essay as an argument in favor of a position on a debatable issue. Your essay should have:
• An introductory paragraph with a clear thesis about this debatable topic.
• A summary paragraph giving readers important background information that is important for understanding the context of the argument.
• Paragraphs in support of your argument using researched information for support.
• Paragraphs examining and refuting the other side’s arguments with researched information for support.
• A conclusion that wraps up your argument and makes a final plea for your position on this.
Audience
Your assumed reader has no detailed knowledge of your subject. Think of your reader as someone who has something to gain from the knowledge you’ll provide or something to lose from continued ignorance. You owe it to your reader to be objective and to make an evidence-based conclusion.
Content
Here are some questions to consider. Note that not all of them apply to all subjects.
What is the claim’s origin?
What forces perpetuate the claim?
Is the claim backed by the evidence?
Why is the belief attractive or persuasive?
Where do the proponents present their beliefs?
Does someone make money by the spreading of the belief?
What characteristics do believers tend to possess?
What logical flaws are exhibited by the believers?
What perceptual flaws?
What repercussions are there?
What are other possible explanations?
Is deception at work in the perpetuation of the belief?
Is it similar to any other belief?
Can the belief be debunked by evidence to the contrary?
Examples of Paranormal, Conspiratorial, or Otherwise Extraordinary Beliefs
9/11 Conspiracy theories
JFK Assassination Conspiracy Theories
UFO Sightings and Abductions and Conspiracies Relating to Roswell and Area 51
Ancient Astronaut theories (the belief that aliens visited us long ago and helped our technological
advancement)
COVID-19 Conspiracy theories (Pick one to examine in depth. Do not talk about them all.)
2020 Stolen Election Theories
Qanon or “Deep State” conspiracy theories
Sandy Hook “false flag” conspiracy theories
Acupuncture, acupressure, or aromatherapy
Astrology
Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, or Any Other Legend People Swear Is Real
Beliefs in ghosts or other supernatural phenomena.
Specific beliefs of Scientology, Mormonism, or Objectivism.
ESP (Extrasensory perception), clairvoyance, astral projection, or telekinesis
Transcendental Meditation
Biblical code
The Shroud of Turin
Number theories–associated with Pyramids and also 9/11 tragedy
Sports gadgetry, like the magnetic wristband
Apocalyptic paranoia (including Left Behind series)
Holistic healing
The claims of the best seller The Secret
Any one of many paranormal subjects connected to movies, such as:
Crop circles and Signs
EVP and White Noise
Exorcisms and The Exorcist
Mothman and the Mothman Prophecies
The prophecies of Nostradamus
Holocaust denial: preferably one specific claim
Evolution denial: also one specific claim
Proctor & Gamble’s supposedly Satanic logo and other features
Illuminati (secret society that supposedly runs the world)
Zionist conspiracies about the Jews running the world
Moonwalk, a lie by the government
Crack cocaine conspiracy by the government
Any one of many celebrity death conspiracies
Health care paranoia (death panels, socialism)
Global-warming denial.
Anti-Obama paranoia (not American, communist)
AIDS beliefs in the gay community—that AIDS is defeated.
AIDS beliefs in religious community—that AIDS is God’s punishment for immorality.
Depression medication is bogus, according to Scientologists.
Real-life disasters are God’s punishment.
The John Madden Videogame Curse
Examples of Conventional Wisdom
Religion is necessary for morality and happiness.
Home-schooling leads to poor academic or social skills.
Our nation’s education systems favor boys over girls.
Obscenity is harmful for children.
Children with gay parents become poorly adjusted adults.
Wal-Mart cripples small towns.
Meat is a necessary part of the diet of humans.
Animal testing is absolutely necessary for medical/scientific breakthroughs and product safety.
Invasive species are always harmful.
Homosexuality is not a choice.
Negative political ads are effective.
Technological progress has made us happier.
Math just teaches useless things. It has no practical benefit.
Television is to blame for children’s shortening attention spans.
Winning the lottery or wealth in general leads to happiness.
Global warming is necessarily, indisputably bad.
The Koran promotes violence.
Prayer works.
Most homeless people are homeless because of laziness.
Acai berry has numerous health benefits.
Habitual video-gaming is harmful to children.
Chiropractic works.
Grieving people go through five distinct stages.
Myers-Briggs tests are useful in determining personality.
Criminal profiling is effective.
Vitamins C, D, or A have numerous benefits, far beyond the accepted ones.
Particular Freudian theories
Oedipal/Electra complexes, Anal-retentiveness, Freudian slip (a.k.a. parapraxis)
Hypnosis can be used to treat personality disorders.
Aversion therapy works.
Lie detectors work.
Handwriting analysis reveals, well, something about the writer.
Raw food has any number of benefits.
Creativity can be taught.
Geniuses are born, not made.
Anti-homosexual feelings are caused by repressed homosexual urges.
Also, think of the many racial, ethnic, cultural, regional or national stereotypes that people commonly assume are true.
Disclaimer: Many of these topics need narrowing down. Also, a topic’s appearance on the list does not guarantee that it’s feasible. It is up to you to figure out whether or not the topic can sustain a 4-6 page paper. I urge you also to come up with your own subject. Most careers and areas of study have their own subjects that would fit in one of the columns above. You might find an attractive paper topic by typing into Google “conventional belief” and any subject that interests you.