Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16

MEMORANDUM 

Senate 

To ?

From...

ü • t • ? 

1 erdiscipflnary . 

Subject-

New

Course Proposal - 

?

Date

..

.S 2O23Tr,ó dikIó tbthéSt dy 

VERSITY

S.7F-7/

N.R. Reilly, Chairman 

éñäéCóiiiiitte. 

... .. ...... 

...............

Undergraduate Studies 

18 May 

.

F979 

Action taken by the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies at 

its meeting of May 15, 1979 gives rise to the following motion: 

MOTION I 

"That Senate approve and recommend approval to the 

Board of Governors, as set forth in S.79-71 , the 

new course proposal G.S. 202-3 - Introduction to the 

Study of Psychic Phenomena." 

It was noted that a 400 division course on this topic had been taught 

with success under special topics and that a course at the 200 division 

would be helpful. There is no intention of having more than two courses 

in this area. 

Time Waiver: Subject to the approval by Senate and by the Board of 

Governors of the course, SCUS has approved the waiver of the time lag 

requirement in order that G.S. 202-3 may be first offered in Fall 79-3. 

N. R. Reilly 

/kb

SiMON FRASth UNIVERSITY

MEMORANDUM

.................Mr. FJ.M.....Evan..... 

........ .... ... ... 

... ......... ...... ... ... ... .From 

J. Blanchet, Secretary of the 

•

_ ?

Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies 

.................. Registrar ....

....$ecr..tary. ..... SCLJ.S 

?

.

?

. Undergraduate Curriculum Committee 

Subject ......

.I...S.,.0 ...... 79-2

Ne. ...

Cc.iirse 

Proposal .

Date.

April 27, 1979 

G.S. 202-3

Introduction to the 

Study of Psychic Phenomena 

The attached New Course Proposal for G.S. 202-3 Introduction to the Study of 

Psychic Phenomena was approved on April 24, 1979 by the Faculty of Inter- 

disciplinary Studies Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. 

Would 

you

please place this item on the agenda for the next meeting of the 

Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies. 

Janet Blarichet 

..

?

JB:jk 

Attachment 

RED

APR3 :' 1979

REGfsy

ft

SENATE coth1iTTEE ON UNIER(ADUATE STUDIES 

NEW COURSE

PROPOSAL FORM 

1. Calendar Information ? 

Department: 

General Studies. 

Abbreviation Code: 

G.S. ? 

Course Number: 2 

02- ? 

Credit Hours:3 ? 

Vector: 2-l-p 

Title of Course: 

?

Introduction to the Study of Psychic Phenomena. 

Calendar Description of Course: 

An historical and comparative approach to the literature on extra-sensory 

perception, psycho-kinesis and survival phenomena. Particular emphasis will 

be placed on the distinctions between superstition and testable belief; 

anecdotal and experimental evidence, and chance and necessity. In addition, 

N  rc r C s lef 

in the supernatural in religious, political, social and 

economic control systems will be examined. 

Prerequisites (or special instructions: 

A.11

Oil a

of Philosophy 001-3, 100-3, 1103 

)

Piyc 

2-01

What course (courses), if any, is being dropped from the calendar If this course is 

approved: ? 

None 

2.

Shedulp 

how frequently will the course he offered? 

Twice each academic year. 

Semester In which the course will first be offered? 

1979-3 

Which of your present faculty 

?

be available to make the proposed offering 

possible? ? 

Robert J. C. Harper 

1. Objectives of the Course 

1.

To introduce the student to the nature and history of studies in the 

field of psychic phenomena. 

2.

To foster critical thinking with respect to claims made for and against 

the existence of psychic phenomena. 

3.

To help the student understand the nature of vested interest in the 

acceptance and rejection of 

p s y 

chic abilities. 

4.

To lay the groundwork for experimental approaches to the study of 

this subject. 

Faculty 

None 

?

Budgetary 

Space Requirements 

Staff  

None 

Library 

Books, ? 

journals 

(new subscriptions 

and back-issues). 

Audio Visual 

S pv cc 

Equipment 

5.

?

Approva]. 

Pit

-

/ ?

2L ?

% ?

( ?

7

Department Chairman        

Dean           

Chairman, SCU2'

S'S 73-34b:-

(When completing this form, for instructions 

see Memorandum SCUS 73-34a. 

Attc course outline). 

General Studies 2 0 2 - 3 

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF PSYCHIC PHENOMENA 

.

Vector: 2-1-0 

?

Instructor: R.J.C. Harpei 

Text-Book: WOLMAN B.B. Handbook of Parapsychology 

New York. Van Nostrand, 1977. 

COURSE OUTLINE 

In this course the fundamental issues concerning "psychic" 

or "paranormal" phenomena will be presented for critical 

discussion. In particular we will address ourselves to the claims 

for the existence of psychic abilities such as extrasensory 

perception and psychokinesis, and of psychic phenomena such as 

"out-of-the-body" experiences. The primary objectives of the 

course are to sort out sense from nonsense, evidence from guess- 

work, and speculation from critical evaluation, and to 

encourage the development of clear thinking in an area where this 

attribute is at a premium. In essence these objectives entail 

the presentation of the cases "for and against the existence 

of psychic phenomena. It is up to you to decide for yourself 

the relative merits of the arguments. 

.

?

Organization 

There are two ways of looking at psychic phenomena: the 

first assumes the existence of the spirit and therefore of some 

kind of after-life; the second rejects this assumption and considers 

psychic phenomena as at best manifestations of powers the explana- 

tion of which must ultimately be found through what may be loosely 

termed "traditional scientific methods". 

The course will encompass both points of view and this 

suggests the following organization. 

Part I. 

?

Psychic Phenomena and the Idea of Spirit. 

An examination of selected texts on religious perspectives 

on psychic phenomena including prophetic visions, materializations 

after death, reincarnation, psychic healing and out-of-the-body 

experiences. 

Original Source Material: The Holy Bible, Talmud, Koran, 

The Tibetan Book of the Dead, the Egyptian Book of the 

Dead, the Upanishads, Rig Veda, Atharva Veda. 

Secondary Source Material: 

Brandon, S.G.F. 

?

Man and his Destiny in the Gxe.at 

Religions. 

Breasted, J.H. 

?

Religion and Thought in Ancient Egypt. 

Edgerton, F. 

?

The Beginnings of Indian Philosophy. 

Eliade, M. 

?

Shamanism. 

Eliade, M. 

?

From Primitives to Zen. 

Murti, T.R.V. 

?

The Central Philosophy of Buddhism. 

Jeffrey, A. 

?

Islam:. Muhammad and his Religion. 

Part II 

?

Modern Ant 

?

dents of Psychic Research 

The rise of mesmerism in the eighteenth century and 

spiritualism in the nineteenth century. Mesmer, Swedenborg, 

D. D. Home, Mrs. Piper and others. 

Source Material: 

Dingwall, E.J. 

?

Some Human Oddities. 

Dingwall, E.J. 

?

Abnormal Hypnotic Phenomena.. 

Lodge, 0. 

?

Raymond on Life and Death. 

Owen, A.R.G. ? 

Hysteria, Hypnosis and Healing. 

Podmore, F. 

?

Modern Spiritualism: A History and 

?

Criticism. 

White, J. ? 

Psychic Exploration. 

Wolman, B.B. 

?

Handbook of Parapsychology. 

Wilson, C. 

?

The Occult. 

Part III 

?

Contemporary Psychic Research I E.S.P. 

1.

Experimental Design: Chance and probability: the formation 

of testable and untestable hypotheses, fraud and deception, 

the burial and resurrection of data. 

2.

The original experiments at Duke University and their 

aftermath. 

3.

The Remote Viewing Research of Targ and Puthoff at 

Stanford Research Institute. 

4.

The work of Leonid Vasiliev at Leningrad. 

S.

?

Recent developments in North America, Western Europe and 

the U.S.S.R. 

Source Material: 

Books: 

Hansel, C.E.M. 

?

E.S.P. A Scientific Evaluation. 

Koestler, A. ? 

The Roots of Coincidence. 

Sinclair, U. 

?

Mental Radio. 

Smythies, J.R. ? 

Science and E.S.P. 

?

..

-3-

Rhine, J.B. 

. ? Soal, S.G. and 

Bateman, F. 

Targ, R. and 

Puthoff, H. 

Tart, C. 

Tart, C. 

Vasiliev, L. 

White, J. 

Wolman, B.B. 

Extrasensory Perception. 

Modern Experiments in Telepathy. 

Mind-Reach. 

Psi: Scientific Studies of the 

Psychic Realm. 

Learning to use Extrasensory Perception. 

Experiments in Distant Influence. 

Psychic Exploration. 

Handbook of Parapsychology. 

Statistical Problems in E.S.P. Research. 

Science Vol. 201, 1978. pp. 131-136. 

Psychic Process, Energy Transfer and 

Things that go Bump in the Night. 

Princeton University, P.A.W. Special 

Report. 

Parapsychology in the U.S.S.R. 

Journal of Parapsychology, 1975 39, 

pp.

129-134. 

Part IV 

?

Contemporary Psychic Research II Psychokinesis. 

Extrasensory Perception deals with the transfer of 

information, psychokinesis involves the transfer of energy which 

apparently manifests itself in the manipulation or movements of 

people and objects. In this part of the course, attention will 

be focussed on experimental investigations of psychokinesis and 

on specific people, Uri Geller, Nina Kulagina and Ted Serbs, 

who claim psychokinetic powers 

Source Material: 

Books: 

Eisenbud, J. 

?

The World of Ted Serios. 

Puharich, A. 

?

Ui-

17

A Journal of the Mystery of 

Uri Geller. 

Targ, R. and 

Puthoff, H. 

?

Mind-Reach. 

Geller, U. 

?

My Story. 

White, J. 

?

Psychic Exploration. 

Wolman, B.B. 

?

Handbook of Parapsychology. 

Randi, J. ? 

The Magic of Uri Geller. 

Handouts: 

"Uri Geller and Science"I 

?

Editorials in New Scientist, 

"Challenge to Science" 

?

1973-74. 

Handouts: 

Draconis, P. 

Jahn, Robert G. 

McConnell, R.A. 

.-

-4 - 

Part V ? 

Survival Phenomena. 

Rapid advances in resuscitation techniques have 

led to reports of unusual experiences by patients who were 

"clinically dead". In his book, "Life after Life", Raymond Moody 

describes recurrent themes in these experiences which suggest 

the possibility of an after-life. This concluding section of the 

course will examine the general issue of survival and reincarnation 

in the light of recent developments. 

Source Material: 

Books: 

Kubler-Ross, E. ? 

OnDeath and Dying. 

Langley, N. ? 

Edgar Cayce on Reincarnation. 

Moody, R. ? 

Life after Life. 

Steam, J. ? 

The Search for a Soul. 

Wolman, B. B. ? 

Handbook of Parapsyhology. 

Course Requirements. 

1.

Two essays each of 1,500 words on topics selected in 

consultation with the Instructor of Teaching Assistant. 

Each essay will count for 30% of the final grade. 

2.

Final examination: 3 hours. One half of this examination 

will consist of objective items. The other half will 

consist of three essay questions to be selected from a 

choice of six. The final examination mark counts for 

40% of the final grade. 

General Studies 202 -3 

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF PSYCHIC PHENOMENA 

.

Rationale 

The case for mounting a credit course in this field rests on 

three arguments. 

?

I

?

Research in psychical phenomena is actively encouraged 

and supported in universities throughout the world. 

?

II ? 

The status accorded to parapsychological investigations 

by the scientific community at large justifies the 

recognition of the field by Simon Fraser University. 

?

III ? 

There is sufficient interest in the student body to assure 

reasonably high enrolments. 

Before developing these arguments, however, it is important 

to clarify what is meant by the term "psychic phenomena." In general, 

this term refers to events which appear to involve information 

or energy transfer through means which are as yet ünkn'oin to 

science. More particularly, these events appeal to be manifesta- 

tions of certain Dowers inherent in life-forms.1 

.

?

?

The conventional classification of psychic phenomena 

is as follows: 

1. Extrasensory Perception (E.S.P. 

E.S.P. covers those phenomena which involve the apparent 

transfer of information through channels other than those provided 

by conventional or known sensory modalities. Included under this 

heading are telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition and 

retrocognition. 

2. Psychokinesis (P.K.) 

An event involving the movement or manipulation of an 

object or person without the use of any known force that would 

permit a conventibnal explanation. 

3. Survival Phenomena 

These phenomena appear to involve discarnate personalities 

and include mediunship, hauntings, apparitions of the dead, 

spirit possessions reincarnations and out-of-body experiences. 

1. Author's defiiition. 

-2-

The Arguments I Research in other Universities 

The following is a partial list of universities where 

psychic research is presently being undertaken: 

Canada ? 

McGill, Regina. 

U.S. ? 

Chicago, Colorado, Columbia, C.U.N.Y., Duke, 

Harvard, M.I.T., New School for Social Research, 

Pittsburg, Princeton, University of California 

(at Berkeley, Davis, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara), 

Virginia, Wisconsin and Yale. 

U.K. 

?

Cambridge, Edinburgh, London, Oxford. 

U.S.S.R. ? 

Moscow, Leningrad, Alma-Ata. 

Holland 

?

Utrecht, Amsterdam. 

W. Germany ? 

Freiburg. 

Others. ? 

Tel Aviv. 

II The Scientific Standing of Psychical Research 

?

While, by and large, psychical research must be judged in 

terms of the contributions of the individual worker, the status 

accorded to the Parapsychological Association, which represents 

the best in U.S. research endeavors , may be judged by the 

decision in 1969 to grant that body membership in the American 

Association for the Advancement of Science. 

The situation in the U.S.S.R. is not quite as clear cut.. 

Concluding a review of the current situation, R. A. McConnell 

states 

"From the information (given), it is a reasonable 

inference that for many years, the scientific leaders 

of the U.S.S.R. have knowingly allowed parapsychology 

to flourish at a popular level until they could make 

up their minds as to whether psi (psychic) phenomena 

are real or imaginary. They have decided in favour of 

these phenomena, the study of which will now be 

undertaken within government laboratories. As a 

preliminary step, 

1

popular and indiscriminate investigation 

must be halted." 

1. McConnell, R.A. "Parapsychology in the U.S.S.R. 

J. Parapsychology 1975, 39, 129-134. 

-3-

•- 

??

However, as far back as 1963, Dr. E. B. Konecci, Director, 

Biotechnology and Human Research, Office of Advanced Research and 

Technology, N.A.S.A., confirmed that both N.A.S.A. and the 

U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences were both actively engaged in psychic 

research (and more particularly work in telepathy and 

psychokinesis) ,from the standpoint of applications to manned 

space flight. 

III Student Interest 

In the Spring Semester 1979, the author offered G.S. 410-3 

under the title The Scientific Investigation of Psychic Phenomena 

(see attached course outline, Appendix A). The maximum 

set enrolment of twenty-five was reached. At the end of the 

semester, there was a general consensus that a course at the 

200 level would not only generate considerable student interest 

but would constitute a valuable introduction to experimental 

work at the upper levels. 

.

1. Cited by A. Koestler, Roots of Coincidence, 

New York Vintage 7 

Books 1973. 

Appendix A 

G.S. 41 

. 3

?

Spring Semester 1979 

Instructor: R. J. C. Harper 

TUE_SC[ENTIFJC_INVESTIGATIONOF PSYCHIC PHENC1ENA 

One hour lecture, 

two hour 

lab per week. ? 

Three 

crec!its. 

TEXT: ? 

Psychic Exploration, 

John White (Ed.), C. 

P. Putnam's, New York, 1974. 

This course has been deveIojn:d t give students the opportunity of 

participating in the design and execution of experiments in the field of 

psychic research. In general, the primary objective is to determine whether 

or not psychic abilities such as telepathy can be demonstrated under labora- 

tory conditions of unquestionable rigour. All that is required of any student 

who takes this course is an open but inquiring mind and the ability to grasp 

the logical principles underlying research design in science. Although most 

of the experimental work will be done during class hours, the student should 

be prepared to carry out additional work including visits to individuals, 

groups and agencies in the Vancouver area who claim to have psychic powers 

or the means of developing them in others. 

Lecture 1: The Nature and Range of Psychic Phenomena (PSI) 

An introduction to the definition of PSI and the varieties of PSI 

classified under extra-sensory perception, psychokinesis and survival 

phenomena respectively. 

Ref: Psy. Exp.--Introduction, Ch.. 1, 2. 

Lab: Demonstration of a typical experiment in extra-sensory perception. 

Ref: Psy. Exp.--Chapter 4. 

Lecture 2: Hypothesis--Formation and Testing I 

From speculation, unexamined belief and disbelief to scientific reason- 

ing and the formation of testable hypotheses. Conscious and unconscious bias; 

faking data; experimental "replications". 

Ref: Hand-out- -"Theory Testing"- -RJCI-I. 

Lab: Demonstration of cuing and chance factors in an experiment purporting 

to show evidence of psychic functioning. 

Lecture 3_: Hypothesis- - Format ion and Test ingil 

Cleaning up the act. Sound cyperirnental procedures. Support vs. proof. 

On drawing the proper cone I us:ions. 

SLab: Experiment in remote viewing. The first of a series designed to 

test the claims made by Russell Targ and Harold Putnoff in Mind- 

Reach--Scientists Look at Psychic Ability, Delacorte Press, 1977, 

that parasensory detection of remote stimuli is a demonstrable 

phenomenon. 

Ref: Mind-Reach--Ch. 4, 6. 

Ps y 

. Exp.--Ch. 15. 

-

?

Lecture 4: Western and EasternppLoaches to Experimentation in PSI I 

A survey of current and recent experiments in North America, Western 

Europe and the Soviet Union. 

Ref: Experiments in Distant Influence, 

L. L. Vasiliev. 

Psy. Exp.--Ch. 8, 20. 

The ESP Papers, S. Ostrander. 

Lab: Experiment in remote viewing. 

Lecture 5: Western and Eastern Approaches to Experimentation in PSI II 

Lab: Experiment in remote viewing. 

Lecture 6: Subjective States and theEvocation of PSI 

A review of the evidence adduced to support the claim that hypnotic 

and meditative states enhance psychic abilities. The case of Edgar Cayce. 

Ref: Psy. Exp. --Ch 3, 5. 

Edgar Cayce on ESP, D. Agee. 

Lab: ESP performance under differing subjectivç states. 

Lecture 7: Preco 

gnition 

and Retrocognition 

The evidence for and against. The prophecies of Nostradamus, and 

others. 

Rci: 

?

1sy. Exp. --Ch. 6. 

Lab: A. test of precognition. 

Lecture 8: Psychokinesis 

The evidence for and against. 'Ihe claims of [fri Geller and others. 

Ref: Psy. 

Exp.--Ch. 

7 and Appendix. 

Mind-Reach--Ch. 7, 8. 

Lab: A test for non-random events in the movement of objects. 

Lecture 9: Survival Phenomena I 

The case for life alter death. 

carnation. 

i\necdotal and other accounts; rein- 

Ref: Psy. Exp.--Ch. 16, 17. 

Edgar Cayce on Reincarnation, Noel 

Langley. 

Life After Life Moody. 

Lab: Replication of an exper:imerit purporting to demonstrate life .after 

death. 

LecturelO: Survival Phenomena U 

Lab: Replication of an experiment purporting to demonstrate life after 

death. 

Lecture 11: Psychometrics 

The evidence for and against the claim that by handling an object it 

is possible to obtain facts about its history that could only be established 

through paranormal ability. 

Lab: Demonstration to be arranged. 

Lecture 12: Psychic Research and the Diagnosis and Treatment of Illness 

A review of the claims made for paranormal approaches to diagnosis 

and healing. Psychic surgery. Cayce, Arigo and others. 

Ref: Psy Exp.--Ch. 14. 

Cayce on ESP. 

Lab: To he arranged. 

Lecture 13: Psychic Phenomena, Physics and Metaphysics 

An examination of traditional and current views of mind, matter and 

reality. Edgar D. Mitchell's case for metanoia. 

Ref: Psy. Exp.--Ch. 18, 22. 

Lab: Replication of experiment demonstrated in Lab 1. 

Lecture 14: Review and Outlook on Future Possibilities in Experimentation 

Lab: Discussion. 

ASSIGNMENTS: 1. in consultation with the instructor, each student will 

be required to undertake a simple experiment which will 

be reported in an appropriate Form. 

Weight: 30% of final grade 

2.

All students will he expected to keep individual lab 

notebooks which will be handed in for grading. 

Weight: 40% of final grade. 

3.

An essay on a topic decided by the student in consultation. 

Length: approximately 2,000 words. 

Weight: 30 

1

of final grade. 

SUPPLEMENTARY REFERENCES: 

Targ, D. and Putnoff. H. Mind-Reach, Delacorte Press/Eleanor Friede. 

Agee, D. Edgar Cayce on ESP, Warner Books, 1976. 

•

?

Langley, N. 

?

gar Cayce on Reincarnation, Warner Books, 1973. 

Ostrander, S. The ESPjcrs. 

Vasiliev, L. L. ExperimentsinL1istantIn 

fl u ence 

, E. P. Dutton, 1976. 

SiMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

. I

MEMORANDUM

Mr. Larry Thomas 

?

Janet 

Faculty 

Blanchet, 

of

Interdisciplinary 

Secretary 

....... 

tothe

SttMis 

•

Assistant Librarian 

?

Undergraduate 

Curriculum Camii.ttee 

Subj.ci

G.S.

202-3 Introduction to the 

?

Date

April 24, 1979 

Study of Psychic Phenomena 

The attached new course proposal war presented to the, Faculty 

of Interdisciplinary

Studies Undergraduate Curricuhun Coiimittee today. Would you please review it 

in terms of Library resources, and let us have your comments 

as

soon 

as

is

conveniently possible. 

Many thanks, 

:

anet Blanchet 

JB:jk 

Attach. 

cc: Registrar  

?

'

€.. 

(

a4øf

?

4'-gQ

&ede

p,Prx.

S'Jao -(

?

Z%AJ

MAY-71979

OFFICE

SiMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

MEMORANDUM

To

?

Harry Evans, Secretary of 

Senate 

?

.

From Norman Swartz 

Subject.

Proposal for G.S. 202-3 

?

Date.. May 31, 1979 

S.7q-7/

4MAdiy

Three 

members of Senate - Resnick, Swartz and Wheatley - are also 

members of the Philosophy Department. Regretably, all three of us are quite 

unable to attend the June 4th meeting of Senate at which GS 202-3 

.

, "Introduction 

to Psychic Phenomena", is scheduled to be brought forward to be voted on. I 

have consulted with my colleagues, Resnick and Wheatley, and we all 

.  would like 

to request the postponement of the discussion of this course proposal until the 

meeting in July when two of us, at least, can be present atthe Senate meeting. 

Normally the request of three absent Senators ought not, I suppose, to 

merit the postponement of a disussjon, but I suggest that the 

circumstances 

are sufficiently. special in 

this instance to warrant such an action. 

In the first place, the 

'

three missing Senators, in their capacity as 

Philosophers, have serious questions about the course proposed. . For one 

thing, the 

philosophical literature dealing withputatjve psychic phenomena,. 

a literature which 

is high1y critical (in the best sense), seems to be totally 

ignored in the reading lists. In the second place, 

the

relevance oI philosophy 

(which after all is the home discipline for studies of the concept of mind and 

Of

logic) is tacitly acknowledged in that three of the four alternative'.. 

prerequisite courses listed are courses in the Philosophy Department; yet, to 

the best of my knowledge, no consultation with the Philosophy Department has 

taken place. ? 

.

I ask that you make our concerns and our 

request 

for postponement known 

to Sbnãte. 

C.C.

C. Pedersen, Chairman of Senate 

J. Wheatley, Dean of Graduate Studies 

R. Brown, Dean of Arts 

L. Resnick, Faculty of Arts 

UN- 11979.

FACULTY OF ARTS