MXCC Fall 2016
PH199 (3361) - Philosophy of UFOs
Introduction to Exophilosophy
The study of human relationships to off-world intelligences
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2 - 3:30 PM
Starting Sept. 20th
Snow Hall, Room 521
Middlesex Community College
100 Training Hill Road, Middletown
Dr. Justin Vood Good
justin@oursanctuary.org
Cell 617.733.9270
Office Hours: Tuesdays 11 AM to 12 Noon
in the new MXCC cafeteria, or by appointment.
Course Description
In this new philosophy class, we shall delve into the bizarre, complex yet exciting world of ufology in its many strange aspects and ramifications. Adopting a skeptical, open attitude towards this academically and politically taboo subject, we shall together examine and weigh the many kinds of evidence and analysis now available which are fueling a heated debate amongst researchers regarding the reality and meaning of this phenomenon : physical evidence, historical documents, eye-witness testimonies, contactee and abduction materials as well as cultural phenomena. While becoming familiar with a topic that has revolutionary ramifications for our entire civilization, we shall also be using this topic to reflect on perennial philosophical questions about truth, knowledge, reality, social and political justice, evolution and history, cosmology and spirituality. This class is not for the squeamish or dogmatic. It requires the willingness to question your most deeply cherished assumptions.
Learning Objectives
Mindfulness
Non-judgmental observation
Epistemological equanimity
Critical thinking/feeling skills
Basic research skills
Non-violent communication skills
Compassion
Required Texts
- Robert Salas, Unidentified: The UFO Phenomenon - How World Governments Have Conspired to Conceal Humanity’s Biggest Secret (New Page Books, 2015).
- John Mack, M. D., Abduction: Human Encounters with Aliens (Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1994).
Please note that the rest of the tests for this class will be posted on the course
blog at least one class before the class they are to be discussed,
Course Requirements
1. Keeping a “Book of Questions”
Students are required to keep a weekly journal based on readings and class discussion. The student should prepare for each class by compiling a min. 1 page of notes for the assigned reading for the class, and at the bottom of those notes, at least one question you have, about the reading or some idea which the reading provokes for you. If you don’t have a question after reading the assignment, you haven’t read it or thought about it carefully enough, and you should try reading it again. After each class, the student is encouraged to write down any clarifications that occur during class. This journal will become the basis of your final writing project. Journals will be reviewed mid-semester. (See below for more details)
2. Serving as a Question Spur
During the semester, two students will be responsible for getting our conversation going by offering a question and very short (5 min. or less) impression of the reading. Note: You are not being graded on your ‘performance’ here, just offering your impressions of the reading. You don’t need to have understood or even digested the material to present your question, but simply to have done the reading, and found something that interests you that you can share.
3. Several short Projects and a Mid-semester Presentation
Students will be be required to offer a short (5-10 min) presentation mid-semester based on a chapter from John Mack’s Abduction book. A 4 page paper on the chapter, and/or that chapter’s connection to other issues in exophilosophy is required.
4. Final Project Presentation
A final 5 page paper with documentation, posted to class student blogsite on a topic from the class. This could be a focused on a particular case, hypothesis, question, testimony, etc.These projects will be presented at the end of the semester during the scheduled exam period. These projects can be collaborative, and I encourage you to join forces. :)
5. Willingness to Practice Meditation Beginning several weeks into the course there will be short weekly meditations – 10 minutes of Vipassana meditation. Students should be willing to practice non-judgmental self-observation.
6. Effort, Attention & Courage
Students are instructed to come to class, to be mentally and emotionally present in class and absolutely no use of digital devices, no texting or cell phone use, and no online reading. You should be prepared to discuss the assigned reading, have a question to share, be willing to engage in friendly dialogue and to question your deepest assumptions and stories.
Schedule and Themes
(9/20-10/4) Chapter One • Introduction to Exophilosophy
Assumptions, Terms, Evidence
Conventional Wisdom: Fermi’s Paradox & Drake’s Equation
Making Sense of UFO Reports: J.Allen Hynek’s classification system
New Developments in Exo-astronomy: SETI, Exo-planets, Kardechev systems
Some important cases: Rendlesham Forest, JAL Alaska
Mass sightings: Phoenix Lights, Hudson River Valley, Belgium Wave.
Crop Circles and Cattle Mutilations
Best Photographic and Video Evidence
Taxonomy of Alien Types
Due 10/4: Case study using Hynek’s classification system (1 page)
(10/6-10/18) Chapter Two: The Worldwide UFO Cover-up
National Security State and the UFO Cabal
Expert Witness Testimony: The Disclosure Project
UFOS and Nuclear Weapons: Robert Salas narrative.
Roswell: Cover-up, Reverse Engineering, and Interview with an Alien
Structures of Secrecy: The Deep State and MJ12
Government Paper Trail: CIA, NSA, FBI, Blue Book, Condon Report.
The 1960 Brookings UFO Report
SSP Whistleblowers: Corey Goode, William Tompkins, Bob Lazar, John Lear
Due 10/18: Formulating main question so far (1 page)
(10/20-11/8) Chapter Three: Alien Abduction & Experiencers
Epistemology, Metaphysics, Politics, Spirituality
Anatomy of an Experience
Interpretations of Abduction: Mack, Jacobs, Cannon, Mutwa Credo
Due 11/1-3-8: Student Presentations on John Mack’s Abduction
(11/10-11/22) Chapter Four: High Strangeness
New Concepts of Language, Consciousness, Technology
Exo-linguistics
Remote Viewing ETS
Channelling Pleiadians, Jane Roberts, Bashar, Law of One
Electrogravitics, Teleportation and Higher Dimensional Physics
Who Built the Moon?
Due 11/22: Topic and outline for Final Project
(11/29-12/8) Chapter Five: Emergence of a New World View
Hidden Histories and New Cosmologies
New Narratives of Earth History and Human Evolution
Living Library, Prison Planet, Classroom, Mining Expedition
Time Travelers, Christ Council, Ascension
Ancient Visitation: Zacharia Sitchen and the Annunaki
Inner Paths to Outer Space • Ayahuasca Shamanism and Indigenous Perspectives
Due during scheduled Final Exam period: Final Project
Additional Resources
1. Dr. Vood’s Alien TV Youtube channel - my personally vetted source for decent videos
2. Scientific Study of the UFO phenomenon - our go-to site for information about evidence.
3. The John Mack Institute - Continuing the work of John Mack
4. Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) - Great source for current reports
5. International Center for Abduction Research - David Jacobs research
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