Teacher: Dr. John Feldmeier, Ph.D.
Home Phone: (216) 321-1278
Work Phone: (216) 368-0310
email: johnf@eor.astr.cwru.edu
Class Website: http://burro.astr.cwru.edu/johnf/clc.html
Location: 3148 Berkshire Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Time: Tuesdays 8:30-10:00 pm – Sep. through Nov.
This course is a study of the Scientific Method, and developing critical thinking skills, designed for homeschoolers of ages 12-16. The student should be willing to do the class-assigned reading, and answer the questions that are given to promote discussion.
Parents are welcome to attend all classes. I expect all children to
abide by the CLC learning standards:
1.Mutual respect
2.Active participation
3.Deliberate focus
4.Desire to Learn
The in-class portion of the class will involve some lecture, and some laboratory work. The out of class work will include readings from the class textbook, The Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan, and some other readings as well.
The book is available for purchase at Appletree books on 12419 Cedar Road (216-791-2665) in the next few days. There will be a materials fee for photocopies of $5.
Below is the preliminary syllabus. The page numbers refer to the pages
in , The Demon Haunted World except
for classes where there will be outside reading. The reading should be done
before class meets, or you will not get much out of the discussion.
Class 1 – Sep. 9 - Introduction (Outside Reading for next week)
Class 2 – Sep. 16 – Introduction to the issues (p. 3 - 22)
Class 3 – Sep. 23 – Case I. Is there a Face on Mars? (p. 43 - 59)
Class 4 – Sep. 30 – Case II. Is there an invisible Dragon in my garage? (p. 171 - 188)
Class 5 – Oct. 7. – The Fine Art of Baloney Detction I. (p. 203 - 218)
Class 6 – Oct. 14 – The Fine Art of Baloney Detection II. (p. 203 - 218)
Class 7 – Oct. 21 – The Fine Art of Baloney Detecion III. (p. 203 - 218)
Class 8 – Oct. 28 – Skepticism (p. 295 - 306).
Class 9 – Nov. 4 – Education in Science (p. 321 - 336).
Class 10 – Nov. 11 – Education (kids comment (p. 339 - 351)
Class 11 – Nov 18 – Class Round-up