Every 2 weeks you must submit a two paragraph podcast or blog article review from the approved list provided in this blog. These reviews are counted as part of your homework score. You may submit the review anytime within each two week period. You may choose any episode/entry current or past. I recommend finding episodes/entries that are personal areas of interest. You many do all your reviews on the same topic if you so choose.
Here's what I'd like for podcast/blog reviews: About a half page made up of two paragraphs that follow this format...
1. Your first paragraph should be a summary of the content in the blogpost or episode. If you listen to one of the long-form podcasts (over 20 min), you don't have to summarize the whole thing, just pick a single issue or a particular line of argument that was discussed.
In summarizing, I suggest the following format: (a) What was the main issue? (b) What were the two positions? (c) What was the main argument for and the main argument against? (d) Why does the skeptic think the opposing argument fails?
2. Second paragraph: Give me you own thoughts on what was discussed. Here you may do one or more of several things: (a) talk about how the podcast/blog employed concepts we've encountered in the class and how that impacted discussion of the issue. (b) Discuss whether you agree or disagree with one of the positions and why. (c) Discuss what additional evidence the weaker side would have to produce in order to strengthen their position and the likelihood that this evidence could be produced.
3. The due date for all reviews is the last day of class at midnight.
Podcasts: (on itunes)
Skeptics Guide to the Universe (general science and medicine). This is a good general podcast and is the most popular skeptical podcast. It's informative and entertaining.
Skeptics Guide to the Universe 5x5. This one is a series of 5 minute introductions to topics in modern skepticism and critical thinking.
Skeptoid. Another very popular podcast that is about applying skepticism and critical thinking to urban legends and topics in popular culture. Usually only about 10 min/episode. This is an excellent "gateway drug" for modern skepticism.
Rationally Speaking: Issues in science and popular culture.
Point of Inquiry: Interview podcast with famous scientists and philosophers talking about their recent books. Also talks about the relationship between politics and science.
Quackcast: (a favorite) Winner several years running for best medical podcast. Marc Crislip is a curmudgeon who is a genius and tearing apart bad medical research and claims.
YouAreNotSoSmartPodcast Psychology and science of why we make thinking errors.
Blogs and Articles:
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/ Excellent resource for checking up wacky health claims. Vital if you do research in this area.
http://freethoughtblogs.com/ List of tons of skeptical blogs on a variety of topics (mostly to do with religion, but not all).
http://www.skeptic.com/ Official webpage for skeptic magazine.
http://theness.com/neurologicablog/ Very popular skeptical blog on a variety of topics.
http://www.randi.org/site/ The godfather of the modern skeptical movement: debunking pseudo-science and scam artists.
http://www.skepticblog.org/ multi-author blog applying critical thinking to current events and issues.
http://www.skepticalscience.com/ evaluation and responses to global warming denialism
The $10, 000.00 Challenge to Change Sam Harris' Mind
http://evidencemag.com/clean-eating/
superfoods: hype or substance?
psychology of confidence on the gender wage gap (I strongly recommend women read this)
Fake study gets published: Problems with "Peer-Review"
More Fake Studies Get Published by Online "Peer Review" Journals
Politics, Revolving Door, and Financial Regulation
Salaries and problems in higher ed
Diet Soda and Gut Bacteria
Ted Talks (also OK for reviews)
http://www.ted.com/talks/lawrence_lessig_we_the_people_and_the_republic_we_must_reclaim.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pallotta_the_way_we_think_about_charity_is_dead_wrong
http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_reveals_new_insights_on_poverty
http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_the_good_news_of_the_decade
Critical Thinking Resources
http://www.quackwatch.com/ Database and articles of medical scams and quackery past, present, and ongoing.
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/ the name says it all. This blog is run collectively by some of the top medical researchers in the country (from Yale, Harvard, etc...)
http://www.factcheck.org/ Mostly political. Good for fact-checking (obviously).
http://www.politifact.com/ Award winning political fact-checking website.
http://www.snopes.com/ You probably know this one, but just in case. Good for checking up on internet memes.
link to a handy fallacy guide
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm reports and ratings for consumer products
http://skeptools.wordpress.com/2014/03/03/viral-photos-debunked-animal-rights-google-tineye-image-search/ How to debunk photos online
http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/ Excellent blog by scientists focusing on alarmist misinterpretations of food and health studies
No comments:
Post a Comment