Almost nothing about 9/11, but the Popular Mechanics book is recommended reading!  This is taught in Harvard's "night school" where anyone can pay to take courses.  It's taught by a lecturer (not a professor) in the Medical School, and is held in the social sciences building in a room seating 138.  I'll see about scoping it out to see how many people are actually taking it.  The guy who tipped me off to its existence is ostensibly for 9/11 truth and I think is taking the class, but as is my wont I did not make any effort to "keep in touch"...

http://www.extension.harvard.edu/2009-10/courses/syllabi/22156/

Conspiracy

SSCI E-132 Conspiracy (22156)

This course examines conspiracies, both real and imagined: their origins, development, and consequences. What psychobiologic factors, personality traits, and social institutions predispose individuals to this perspective? What parts have been played by sects, secret societies, and political parties? How are these beliefs formed, and how may they be supported or refuted? Prerequisite: introductory course in biology, psychology, or anthropology. (4 credits)

Syllabus:

Harvard University

SSCI E-132

Conspiracy

William Henry Anderson Spring 2010

(617) 492-8090 William James Hall 1

wander@post.harvard.edu Mondays 7:35-9:35 PM

COURSE OBJECTIVE: Conspiracy is a frequently employed explanation for observed

phenomena in the realms of political, economic, and social behavior. This course will

examine the psychology underlying this perspective, including the origins, development,

and consequences of conspiracies, both real and imagined. Psychobiological,

anthropological, and historical approaches will be considered. We will give special

attention to study of the psychology of small groups. Students will become familiar with

the common features and patterns of hypothetical conspiracies, with the goal that

enhanced capacity for critical discernment will be developed.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Reading Assignments: See Bibliography.

2. Midterm Examination: March 1, 2010. It will cover the first four lectures

and the corresponding reading. (One hour)

3. Paper: Undergraduate papers are optional, may be of any length, and

credit requires a 15-20 page paper with an extensive bibliography. It is

absolutely positively due on or before April 26, 2010. Papers should

reflect serious consideration of a real or hypothetical conspiracy. Opinion

and argument should be supported by evidence.

4. Final Examination: May 10, 2010. (Two hours). It will cover the whole

course, both lectures and readings. Emphasis will be on the second half.

5. Classroom participation: Pertinent comments are always appreciated.

Attendance is not formally taken, but is expected, absent unusual

circumstances.

EXAMINATIONS:

Both the Midterm and Final Examinations will consist of essay questions. Books, notes,

and references may be consulted during the examinations. You may bring in a previously

prepared, typed, question and answer of your own design as a substitute for one of the

questions in either or both examinations.

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

SSCI E-132 CONSPIRACY

Mondays 7:35-9:35 PM William H. Anderson

William James 1 Spring 2010

COURSE SCHEDULE

January 25 Cognitive dimorphisms. The several modes of thought. Logical fallacies

and the scientific method. Geographical and cultural considerations in

patterns of thought.

February 1 The psychopathology of the paranoid perspective. Biological, social,

and cultural considerations. Temporal lobe damage.

February 8 The psychology of small groups. Socially constructed reality. Cognitive

distortions. Overvalued ideas. The millennial perspective. Cui bono?

February 15 Holiday

February 22 The contagion of ideas. Dynamics of infectious and ideational

epidemics. The spreading of memes. Causality, chance, bias, and

confounding.

March 1 MIDTERM EXAMINATION: (One hour, 7:35-8:35 PM)

The psychology and utility of humor.

March 8 Real conspiracy: the Lincoln assassination.

March 15 Holiday

March 22 Real Conspiracy: the Bolshevik coup.

March 29 Dubious religious conspiracies: Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

Holocaust denial. The Knights Templar. The Priory of Sion.

The Bible code.

April 5 Dubious extraterrestrial conspiracies: The UFO cover-up. The Roswell

crash. Area 51. The Men in Black. The Philadelphia Experiment.

Crop circles. Reptilian Shapeshifters.

April 12 Dubious political conspiracies: The Freemasons. The New World Order.

The Council on Foreign Relations. The Illuminati.

April 19 Dubious medical conspiracies: The HIV epidemic. The Tuskegee study.

Cancer cures. The polio epidemic.

April 26 Dubious secret societies: The Bohemian Grove. Skull and Bones.

The Thule Society. Satanic ritual abuse. The Vril Society.

GRADUATE PAPERS DUE.

May 3 Comparison and contrast of the real and the dubious. Distinguishing

features of bogus theories. The duty to think clearly. The secret of

happiness.

May 10 FINAL EXAMINATION (two hours). Optional undergraduate papers

due.

MOVIES OF INTEREST:

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Richard III

The Manchurian Candidate

Arlington Road

Angels and Demons

BIBLIOGRAPHY

REQUIRED:

Barkun, M. A Culture of Conspiracy, 2003. Berkeley:

University of California Press.

Burnett, T. Conspiracy Encyclopedia, 2005. Penguin Group (USA).

Hodapp, C. and A. von Kannon. Conspiracy Theories & Secret Societies

for Dummies, 2008. Indianapolis: Wiley Publishing, Inc.

Vankin, J. and J. Whalen. The 80 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time,

2004. New York: Citadel Press.

RECOMMENDED:

Clancy, S. Abducted, 2005. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

Cohn, N. Warrant for Genocide, 1996. London: Serif Publishing

Gladwell, M. The Tipping Point, 2000. Boston: Little, Brown & Co.

Kaufman, M. American Brutus: John Wilkes Booth and the Lincoln

Conspiracies, 2004. New York: Random House.

Oakley, B. Evil Genes. 2007. New York: Prometheus Books

Pipes, D. Conspiracy, 1997. New York: Free Press.

Surowiecki, J. The Wisdom of Crowds, 2004. New York: Random House.

Ulam, A. The Bolsheviks, 1998. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

OTHERS OF INTEREST:

Beck, A. Prisoners of Hate, 2000. New York: Perennial Press.

Boese, A. A Museum of Hoaxes, 2002. New York: Penguin Books.

Cohn, N. The Pursuit of the Millennium, 1970. New York: Oxford.

Coleman, J. Conspirators Hierarchy, 1992. Carson City: America West.

Daraul, A. A History of Secret Societies, 1994. New York: Citadel Press.

Dozier, R. Why We Hate, 2002. New York: Contemporary Books.

Dunbar, D. and B. Reagan. Debunking 9/11 myths. 2006. New York:

Hearst Books.

Hoffer, E. The True Believer, 1996. New York: Harper Rowe.

Howard, M. The Occult Conspiracy, 1989. Rochester, VT:

Destiny Books.

Mesulam, M. Principles of Behavioral Neurology, 2000. New York:

Oxford.

Nisbett, R. The Geography of Thought, 2003. New York: Free Press.

Pipes, D. The Hidden Hand, 1998. New York: St. Martin’s Griffen.

Read, P. The Templars, 1999. Cambridge, MA: Perseus Books.

Sauder, R. Underground Bases and Tunnels. 1995. Abingdon, VA:

Dracon Press.

Schama, S. Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution, 1989.

New York: Vintage Books.

Smith, J. HAARP: the Ultimate Weapon of Conspiracy, 1998.

Kempton, IL: Adventures Unlimited Press.

Sowell, T. A Conflict of Visions, 1987. New York: Morrow.

Whyte, J. Crimes Against Logic, 2005. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Wood, R. Majic Eyes Only: Earth’s Encounters with Extraterrestrial

Technology. 2005. Broomfield, CO: Wood Enterprises