Spring 2023
LS 22 1 - LEC 1
Sense and Sensibility and Science
Saul Perlmutter, John Joseph Campbell, Amy E Lerman, Winston Yin, Nina Marie Maryn
Class #:24701
Units: 4
Instruction Mode:
In-Person Instruction
Offered through
Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies
Current Enrollment
Total Open Seats:
2
Enrolled: 295
Waitlisted: 0
Capacity: 297
Waitlist Max: 68
Open Reserved Seats:
6 reserved for Students with Enrollment Permission
Hours & Workload
3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials per week, 6 hours of outside work hours per week, and 3 hours of the exchange of opinions or questions on course material per week.
Final Exam
TUE, MAY 9TH
07:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Li Ka Shing 245
Other classes by Saul Perlmutter
Other classes by John Joseph Campbell
Other classes by Saul Perlmutter
Other classes by John Joseph Campbell
Course Catalog Description
Every day we make decisions that can and should be informed by science. We make decisions as individuals, as voters, and as members of our various communities. The problem is, we don’t do it so well—a fact sadly apparent in political debates. This course aims to equip students with basic tools to be better thinkers. We will explore key aspects of scientific thinking that everyone should know, especially the many ways that we humans tend to fool ourselves, and how to avoid them—including how to differentiate signal from noise, evaluate causal claims, and avoid reasoning biases. We’ll then look at the best models for using science to guide decisions, combining both evidence and values, with the ultimate goal of bettering the world.
Class Description
[NB: The Wednesday 11-12 time is for optional office hours; often we are able to take people off the waitlist.] Every day we make decisions that can and should be informed by science. We make decisions as individuals, as voters, and as members of our various communities. The problem is, we don’t do it so well—a fact sadly apparent in political debates. This course aims to equip students with basic tools to be better thinkers. We will explore key aspects of scientific thinking that everyone should know, especially the many ways that we humans tend to fool ourselves, and how to avoid them—including how to differentiate signal from noise, evaluate causal claims, and avoid reasoning biases. We’ll then look at the best models for using science to guide decisions, combining both evidence and values, with the ultimate goal of bettering the world.
We’re facing a world that seems to struggle with rational collective decision making. How can we take into account our values, fears, and aspirations while also grappling with and evaluating facts and evidence? We make decisions as individuals, as groups, and as a society; we find this challenge everywhere we turn. This year, the challenge of making good decisions as a society seems both more difficult and more important than ever. Over the centuries, scientists, psychologists, and philosophers have developed rigorous, yet open-minded ways of thinking about the world that can help us address these universal and pressing concerns. This course explores and directly engages with some of the most useful tools of scientific-style critical thinking, taking into account both psychological biases and philosophical underpinnings.
For the most current updates for this course offering please see this link, which will be updated frequently : https://sensesensibilityscience.berkeley.edu/2023announcements
Class Notes
Li Ka Shing is reserved for optional discussion time on Wednesdays.
For the most current updates for this course offering please see, which will be updated frequently : https://sensesensibilityscience.berkeley.edu/2023announcements.
Berkeley Changemaker:
Two of.. show more
For the most current updates for this course offering please see, which will be updated frequently : https://sensesensibilityscience.berkeley.edu/2023announcements.
Berkeley Changemaker:
Two of.. show more
Li Ka Shing is reserved for optional discussion time on Wednesdays.
For the most current updates for this course offering please see, which will be updated frequently : https://sensesensibilityscience.berkeley.edu/2023announcements.
Berkeley Changemaker:
Two of the twelve sections of L&S 22 are part of the Berkeley Changemaker curriculum (https://changemaker.berkeley.edu/). These two sections will have discussions that draw a deeper connection to the Berkeley Changemaker mission of “Critical thinking, Communication, and Collaboration,” in addition to the same base course content as the other sections.
Hours & Workload:
Each week, there will be one lecture period on Friday from 11:00am - 1:00pm, covering the topics from the two 90-minute labs/sections which are taught Tuesday and Thursday. Most Fridays only the first 90 minutes of the period will be used for lecture, followed by 30 minutes of optional office hours. In addition, Wednesday 11:00 - 12:00 is scheduled for additional optional office hours and possible synchronous activities or quizzes, but time conflicts are permitted for this Wednesday time slot. Please email fssp@berkeley.edu if you have a time conflict for the Wednesday lecture. Attendance will be required (and pleasurable) for all course components.
After you Enroll:
After you register, please fill out the following survey so we get to know you better!
https://forms.gle/ABTtJZ79HQ8SBMCi6
Have additional questions? Please email us at sensesensibilityscience@berkeley.edu
Co-taught by faculty from Physics (Saul Perlmutter, Nobel Prize 2011), Philosophy (John Campbell), and Public Policy & Political Science (Amy Lerman). L&S 22 satisfies the Philosophy and Values, Physical Science, or Social and Behavioral Sciences breadth requirement in the College of Letters & Science. show less
For the most current updates for this course offering please see, which will be updated frequently : https://sensesensibilityscience.berkeley.edu/2023announcements.
Berkeley Changemaker:
Two of the twelve sections of L&S 22 are part of the Berkeley Changemaker curriculum (https://changemaker.berkeley.edu/). These two sections will have discussions that draw a deeper connection to the Berkeley Changemaker mission of “Critical thinking, Communication, and Collaboration,” in addition to the same base course content as the other sections.
Hours & Workload:
Each week, there will be one lecture period on Friday from 11:00am - 1:00pm, covering the topics from the two 90-minute labs/sections which are taught Tuesday and Thursday. Most Fridays only the first 90 minutes of the period will be used for lecture, followed by 30 minutes of optional office hours. In addition, Wednesday 11:00 - 12:00 is scheduled for additional optional office hours and possible synchronous activities or quizzes, but time conflicts are permitted for this Wednesday time slot. Please email fssp@berkeley.edu if you have a time conflict for the Wednesday lecture. Attendance will be required (and pleasurable) for all course components.
After you Enroll:
After you register, please fill out the following survey so we get to know you better!
https://forms.gle/ABTtJZ79HQ8SBMCi6
Have additional questions? Please email us at sensesensibilityscience@berkeley.edu
Co-taught by faculty from Physics (Saul Perlmutter, Nobel Prize 2011), Philosophy (John Campbell), and Public Policy & Political Science (Amy Lerman). L&S 22 satisfies the Philosophy and Values, Physical Science, or Social and Behavioral Sciences breadth requirement in the College of Letters & Science. show less
Rules & Requirements
Repeat Rules
Course is not repeatable for credit.
Requirements class fulfills
Meets Physical Science, L&S Breadth
Meets Philosophy & Values, L&S Breadth
Meets Social & Behavioral Sciences, L&S Breadth
Reserved Seats
Current Enrollment
Open Reserved Seats:
Textbooks & Materials
See class syllabus or https://calstudentstore.berkeley.edu/textbooks for the most current information.
Guide to Open, Free, & Affordable Course Materials