CORT & NDEs - Syllabus

Course Description

In this eight-week academic course, students will examine two of the most carefully studied phenomena connected to the question of survival after death: Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) and Cases of the Reincarnation Type (CORT). The first four weeks focus on NDEs—their characteristic features, the methods researchers use to investigate them, the range of physiological, psychological, and survival-oriented explanations, and what the strongest evidence currently reveals about consciousness after death. The second four weeks turn to Cases of the Reincarnation Type, exploring the classic research approaches developed in this field, the hallmarks of the most evidential cases, possible explanations, and the implications these reports hold for personal identity and the possibility of life after death.

The course emphasizes what science can—and cannot—currently tell us about the afterlife while remaining grounded in the evidence. For both phenomena, students will learn the factual findings from decades of systematic investigation, how to evaluate competing interpretations with clarity and balance, and how these spontaneous experiences are studied outside the laboratory.

Course Outline

Week 1

Introduction and the History of NDEs

  • Introductions and course overview
  • Science and the scientific method
  • The Basics of parapsychology
  • A survey of death-related phenomena
  • Defining NDEs and CORT
  •  

Week 2

Research Findings on NDEs

  • A sample NDE
  • Before the experience: who has NDEs?
  • During the experience: what happens?
  • After the experience: after-effects
  • Distressing NDEs
  • Cultural differences

Week 3

Explaining NDEs

  • Possible explanations
  • Natural explanations: fraud and misinterpretation
  • Paranormal explanations: living-agent psi and survival
  •  

Week 4

Field Investigation of NDEs

  • Possible Guest Lecturer
  • Mid-Term Quiz

Week 5

Field Investigation of CORT

  • Possible Guest Lecturer

Week 6

Introduction and the History of CORT

  • Reincarnation as a concept
  • Belief in reincarnation across traditions
  • Defining CORT
  • Where past-life claims come from
  • The history of CORT research

Week 7

Research Findings on CORT

  • A sample case
  • Before the memories: who has these cases?
  • During the memories: what the children say and do
  • After the memories: what becomes of the children
  • Measuring and profiling cases
  • Unusual forms of CORT

Week 8

Explaining CORT, and Wrapping Up

  • Possible explanations
  • Natural explanations: fraud and misinterpretation
  • Paranormal explanations: living-agent psi and survival
  • Personal identity
  • Course summary
  • Final Quiz

Course Materials

  • There is no specific text for this class, however, students will be provided with short readings or videos which will help them to better understand the content of the lectures.

Course Activities

  • Students will be expected to view the class broadcasts or the recordings of the classes each week.
  • Students will be expected to participate in weekly discussion forums and activities. Each student will be expected to provide an original posting each week and to respond to at least one other student in the discussion forums. Greater participation in this area will be considered during class evaluations.
  • A multiple choice or short answer evaluations will be assigned after the 4th week of class.
  • Final Exam

Evaluation and Grading

Students who are taking the course for a grade will be assessed using a letter grade based on the standard letter grade format.

  • A (90-100)
  • B (80-89)
  • C (70-79)
  • D (60-69)
  • F (below 60)

Participation in the forums is a large component of the grading, and substantive postings are necessary to get full credit for each discussion topic.

The following activities will be considered to contribute to the courses as follows:

  • Discussions (5 points per week; Total 40%)
  • Midterm (30%)
  • Final (30%)