Junk Science SC 201
Simpson Colloquium 201
“Junk Science” is when unjustified claims are improperly advertised as scientific. For example, have you ever wondered if…wet hair can give you a cold, if chocolate causes acne, if vaccines can lead to autism, or if organic foods are more nutritious? And how much truth there is to the “five-second rule”? We live in a nation that prides itself as a leader in science, but many of us base decisions on anecdotal evidence, inappropriately represented as scientific information. In this class we will investigate “junk science” and other unjustified claims in advertising, medicine, politics, and old wives’ tales. By investigating literature, internet and media resources, and personal experiences, students will learn to evaluate scientific claims to determine whether claims are data-supported or full of junk.
