Anomalies are observable phenomena that resist explanation in terms of a prevailing set of scientific beliefs. As such, anomalies sometimes have the effect of driving upheavals in scientific thought, in some cases overturning deeply-entrenched paradigms. Examples include: (a) the discovery that rocks fall to earth from space, and (b) aberrations in the orbit of Mercury that required a new theory of gravity to fully understand. Observations that at first appear anomalous sometimes turn out to be illusory, such as canal-like features reported in early 20th century telescopic observations of Mars. This course will explore the role of anomalies in driving scientific discovery, and in testing our critical thinking faculties, as well as our standards for what kinds of knowledge and inquiry count as "scientific". We will address case studies from this history of astronomy and other sciences, as well as relevant epistemological questions and social critiques of the modern scientific enterprise. We will also examine present-day candidate anomalies from within the scientific mainstream such as dark matter, as well as from the so-called pseudoscientific fringe, such as paranormal phenomena and Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs).

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 12

Prerequisites: Any 100-level science course taken at Wellesley.

Distribution Requirements: NPS - Natural and Physical Sciences

Typical Periods Offered: Every three years

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered; Spring