Great Issues in Social Science

HSP 151
Dr. Andrew Christopher
Mondays & Wednesdays
2:10 - 4:00pm
Ferg 230

This seminar will examine how human beings typically process information about “black swans,” which are defined as events that are extremely rare, typically unpredictable, and have a visible, significant impact on everyday life. We will also discuss how human beings typically process information about “white swans,” which are defined as events that are common, predictable in the aggregate, and tend to have an unseen significant impact on everyday life. In this course, we will examine three historical events of a “black swan” nature: the rise of Nazi Germany during the 1920s and 1930s, the 9/11 attacks, and Hurricane Katrina. In addition, we will examine a prospective black swan via peak oil theory and its potential impact on the America and global economies. We will also examine two societal issues of a “white swan” nature: drug addiction and cancer. Discussion will focus on the unfolding and aftermath of the black swan events, why experts tended to neglect the possibility of black swans, and how other supposed “experts” could explain them after they occurred.