COURSEWORK
ECEN 3070 – Edges of Science
Fall 08
Class participation 25%
Most of the course is discussion-based, and so
your participation is essential.
Reading the assigned material in advance is required.
Discussion Groups
In many of the class sessions at the beginning of
the semester students will be divided into thee groups: Advocates, Skeptics,
and Interrogators. Please
regularly check the course schedule to see which
sessions are divided into these groups.
Advocacy Arguments 25%
á
Tight
argument in favor of or against the anomalous finding
o
Describe
main points that support your viewpoint (not a summary of the experiment)
o
Include
specific
arguments, not generalities
o
Be
quantitative
where possible (p-value, effect size, number of studies, etc.)
o
Be
concise;
limit length to 3/4 page single-spaced typing (or preferably 1 page 1.5-line
spaced typing)
o
Structure
argument in a coherent and effective way
o
Does
not have to reflect your own opinion
o
Should
leave the reader strongly convinced of your viewpoint
á
Based
on assigned readings, material you find and your own ideas
á
Forms
the basis for the advocatesŐ in-class arguments
á
At
least five
advocacy summaries due during the semester
á
Final
advocacy reports due on TBD.
Please donŐt delay in turning in reports.
Research Project 50%
Please note that to carry out your research
project you must first complete the Human
Research Tutorial and receive certification.