Introduction to the revised PSC482G for Spring 2000
Instructor, Kenneth A. Rahn
Graduate School of Oceanography
University of Rhode Island
Narragansett, RI 02882-1197
Welcome to the revised version of the University of Rhode Island's PSC482G, "Political Science Seminar: The JFK Assassination." In response to a wide variety of stimuli, I have decided to significantly restructure this course into a version that is based almost completely on the web. Except for our tried-and-true Report of the Warren Commission, all will be provided on internal and external webs. The result will be a nonlinear course, which means that there will be no single path through the material, but rather as many paths are there are students. I suggest that you begin by examining the outline for the historical section of the course, which is as close as we will get to a linear approach. It will offer a rough overview of one way to view our experience. After that, just browse and see where your interests take you. No matter which way you proceed, you will encounter links in all other directions, so you don't have to worry about missing anything. If you are interested in the possibility of conspiracy theory, you may go to "Conspiracy theories" and see if any of the many ideas that have been proposed resonate with you. There you can also check the evidence pro and con for each theory. When you're done with that, you may wish to step back a bit and examine the important field of "Conspiracy theory" to get some ideas that may help explain the commonalities of the theories and why the JFK "critics" think and behave as they do. If you think you're the ultrarational type, your cup of tea may be delving into "Issues and evidence," "Critical thinking," and maybe "Scientific topics" as well. If you're a people person, then "The critics" and "People, organizations, and web sites" may be for you. If you think we live in a postmodern world, you may be drawn to "Higher criticism." Lastly, if you want my best guess about how we will be spending these 14 short weeks, check out the syllabus. But above all, roam, explore, have fun, engage your brain, and learn!
A word of warning, though: this course will not be pat or easy. Woven into the web are many original documents that we will be reading. You will have to think for yourself, perhaps in ways that you never have before. I will be a tough taskmaster--expect that if you don't progress fast enough, I will crack the whip. It's all for your own good, of course, but that doesn't mean it won't be painful at times, as I ask you to stretch your abilities more than you are used to being stretched. By the end, you will agree that it was worth it.
I am beginning to construct this web as I write these lines in late October 1999. If you follow along, you will see it taking shape over the coming months, as bits and pieces slowly but surely fall into place. If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to send them to me at krahn@uri.edu. I look forward to hearing from you. I think we will be in for my best JFK course ever!
Here are the major sections of the web. For the full outline of the web, click here. Enjoy!
Administrative materials
Notices to students
Recent additions to the web
External comments
Two recent communications from outside
Contents
Introductory materials (Syllabus, goals, major hypotheses, etc.)
History
Issues and evidence
Scientific topics
Critical thinking
Conspiracy theory
Conspiracy theories
The critics
Higher criticism
People, organizations, web sites
Miscellaneous documents
Miscellaneous images
Bibliography
Many thanks to friends and colleagues who have generously allowed me to place material from their web sites onto this web. They include Clint Bradford, Michael T. Griffith, Tony Marsh, Ralph Schuster, and Kevin Alfred Strom. I owe a special debt of gratitude to Stewart Galanor for supplying me with many early publications on the assassination from his collection. Without help from these good people, this web and this course would be the poorer.