The Skeptic's Toolbox 1999, Aug. 19-23
SkeptInq@aol.com
Wed, 30 Jun 1999 10:43:21 EDT
The Skeptic's Toolbox 1999
August 19-23, 1999
University of Oregon at Eugene
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Center for Inquiry Institute workshop sponsored by the Committee for
the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For a full schedule, and to obtain a registration form, go to:
http://www.csicop.org/events/19990819-toolbox/
To register by phone, call 1800-634-1610, or 716-636-1425 outside the U.S..
Science vs. Pseudoscience
Workshop Description:
This year's Skeptic's Toolbox aims to give each participant direct
experience in coping with cases involving paranormal or extraordinary
claims. Each participant will be given one or more cases to read before
the workshop begins. Each case will provide some background, a detailed
description of the specific claim, as well as other relevant
information. The first six presentations, one by each of the six faculty
members, will cover model cases. The presenter will briefly describe the
case and the issues that it raises. For each case, the presenter will
emphasize key questions to ask, relevant methodological matters,
possible pitfalls, and how the underlying claim could be supported or
disconfirmed by scientific inquiry. These model cases will hopefully
provide guidance and suggestions to the participants when they consider
their assigned cases. After listening to the model cases, the
participants will be divided into six teams. Each team will be given 24
hours to work on an assigned case. During this time, the team can seek
more information by using the library, the internet, or one or more of
the faculty members as a resource. At the end of this period, each team
will develop an evaluation of its case. All the teams will be brought
together in a plenary session. Each team will then report to the group
its conclusions about its case. These reports will be followed by
discussions comparing similarities and differences between the teams
dealing with the same case. The faculty members will also discuss their
thoughts about each case.
Faculty:
•James Alcock, Professor of Psychology, York University, Member of
CSICOP's Executive Council •Jerry Andrus, Magician, inventor,
iconoclast, CSICOP Fellow •Barry Beyerstein, Professor of Psychology,
Simon Fraser University, Member of CSICOP's Executive Council •Ray Hyman
, Professor of Psychology, University of Oregon, Member of CSICOP's
Executive Council •Loren Pankratz, Clinical Psychologist, Oregon Health
Sciences University, CSICOP Fellow •Wally Sampson, Editor, Scientific
Review of Alternative Medicine, CSICOP Fellow
For more details, and to obtain a registration form, go to:
http://www.csicop.org/events/19990819-toolbox/
To register by phone, call 1800-634-1610, or 716-636-1425 outside the U.S..
--30--