Syllabus: An Historical Overview of Parapsychology
Course Description
This 4-week online course explores the history and evolution of parapsychology as a scientific discipline. Beginning with early psychical research and J.B. and Louisa Rhine’s pioneering studies, we will trace the development of experimental methods and major discoveries in areas such as telepathy, remote viewing, and psychokinesis. The course also examines the field’s integration into mainstream science, including the Parapsychological Association’s affiliation with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), as well as ongoing debates and controversies. Finally, we will explore recent trends in implicit psi research and its potential applications in various fields
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will:
- Understand the historical foundations of parapsychology and its relationship to psychical research.
- Learn about key experiments, methodologies, and findings in forced choice and free response research.
- Explore the intersection of parapsychology with mainstream science, including its challenges and controversies.
- Examine modern developments in psi research, including implicit psi and global consciousness studies.
- Discuss the potential future applications of parapsychology in science and society
Course Outline
-
Weekly Course Topics
-
Week 1: Seeking Proof - The Foundations of Parapsychology
- Metapsychics & Psychical Research
- JB & Louisa Rhine
- Forced Choice GESP
- Micro Psychokinesis
- Early Coverage in Science
- Children Who Remember Past Lives
-
Week 2: Understanding Process - Expanding Paradigms
- Free Response GESP
- Dream Studies at Maimonides Medical Center
- Remote Viewing & Public Funding
- The Ganzfeld: A Unique State
- Hauntings & the Schmeidler Method
-
Week 3: Mainstream Integration and Recognition
- The Parapsychological Association and the AAAS
- A Decade of AAAS Symposia on Parapsychology
- Criticism and Controversy: The Wheeler Incident & Career Skepticism
- Revisiting Proof: A Renewed Focus on Foundational Research
-
Week 4: Implicit Psi & the Art of Parapsychology
- Presentiment Studies & Feeling the Future
- Global Consciousness
- Clinical Parapsychology
- The Superhumanities
- Applications & Global Changes
-
Course Materials
Suggested Readings:
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 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.
- Students will complete a 2-5 page paper discussing one of three topics:
- Where do you see the future of parapsychology heading? Should it focus on proof-oriented research, process-oriented approaches, interdisciplinary collaboration, or something else?
- What lessons can be learned from the successes and setbacks of parapsychology? If you were advising researchers today, what strategies would you recommend for advancing the field?
- What have you learned about parapsychology and science? Reflect on how this course changed or reinforced your perspectives on parapsychology’s place in the world of science.
Evaluations and Grading
Students who are taking the course for a grade will be assessed based on thier participation and performance on the assigments.
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 (Total 40%): 10 points for each of the 4 weeks including responses to other people's posts
Final Project (60%)