![](http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/mryoop789/tinfoil-hat.jpg")
Posted on 10/05/2005 12:38:53 PM PDT by Mike Bates
Conspiracy theorists can now explore the depths of their paranoia with a new degree course.
The University of Derby's sociology department is branching out with a module called Apocalyptic and Paranoid Cultures.
Alleged conspiracies like those raised in bestseller The Da Vinci Code, about the Holy Grail, are just one aspect of the module.
Course leader Andrew Wilson said: "We need to encourage individuals to think freely and critically in a complex and often contradictory society.
"This area of the sociology degree will encourage students to explore official and less widely believed versions of history."
Other module themes include 'Princess Diana - Queen of Heaven or Mother of the AntiChrist?' and 'The Freemasons - More than just a rolled up trouser leg'.
Mr Wilson said the module will suggest conspiracy theories can no longer be treated as an extreme view of the world.
He added: "This [module] says we are surrounded by fear - from terrorism, surveillance, oil shortages and the dangers of GM food.
"It concludes we live in an atmosphere of doubt because our traditional belief systems have been shattered."
You know, if They wanted to identify a portion of the population who knows about Them, this is just what They'd do, isn't it?
I think it's part of the Cheney-Halliburton conspiracy.
Exactly what I was thinkin'. You reading my mind????
Wow. Just think of all the wonderful opportunities and job positions they can get with this degree when they graduate! They'll be flipping burgers by the thousands! They could start their own left wing websites!!!Now THAT'S impressive!
(huh?)
Having a degree in it is probably almost as good in finding gainful employment as having one in psychology, literature, women's studies, black studies. . . .
I wonder if FR is required reading for the lecture on the VRWC...
Maybe DU on the VRWC.
Tinfoil hat-making 101 is a pre-requisite course.
The main area of study will be: Class B101:
BusHitlerCheneyHalliburtonOligarchalZionistMilitaryIndustrialComplexCabal©
Sounds like a diet that purports to let you lose weight by substituting peanut brittle for chocolate covered cherries.
You can never substitute for chocolate. It just can't be done.
Conspiracy Degree's - looks like the last dab of science in the soft sciences has already left. It just forgot to turn out the lights in the sociology building.
"They'll be flipping burgers by the thousands!"
Think Starbuck's barista job for life.
Whilst looking for mentions of myself (for various reasons I have to put together a 'media profile') I came across this thread; I hope that my reply isn't overly late! I'm pleased by your interest in the modules that i run. I did, however, want to point out a couple of things: it's not an entire degree programme but simply one optional module available to a number of degree programmes (Sociology, Social and Culture Studies, Media Studies, etc). The subject is not an accurate knowledge of conspiracy theories but, instead, why they prove popular - socially and culturally. In other words, the subject matter is much more the societies and cultures in which conspiratorial/paranoid thinking runs rife than the conspiracy themselves.
In other words, the press wasn't too accurate in their reporting of the modules. And, having browsed your forum, I would have thought that you guys would have been amongst the last people to expect 'the media' to have been accurate in their portrayal of my courses :-)
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