Periodically
This course presents a systematic approach to scientific reasoning and
thinking about scientific reasoning. Topics to be covered include: the
fundamental ideas of reasoning (support, evidence, argument); the
nature of scientific theories and the evidence that grounds scientific
theories; casual and statistical reasoning, and the relation of the
two; and statistical reasoning and decision making. Students will be
steadily exercised on a variety of arguments from real contexts.
Particular attention is paid to science as it is presented for
nonspecialist audiences, as for instance in science journalism.