Watt, Caroline

English

Edinburgh Research Explorer

     Edinburgh Research Explorer                                      A Review of Education in Parapsychology: Student andInstructor Perspectives by Harvey J. IrwinCitation for published version:Watt, C 2014, 'A Review of Education in Parapsychology: Student and Instructor Perspectives by Harvey J.Irwin' Journal of Scientific Exploration, vol 28, no. 1, pp. 190-191.Link:Link to publication record in Edinburgh Research ExplorerDocument Version:Author final version (often known as postprint)Published In:Journal of Scientific ExplorationPublisher Rights Statement:© Watt, C. (2014). A Review of Education in Parapsychology: Student and Instructor Perspectives by Harvey J.Irwin. Journal of Scientific Exploration, 28(1), 190-191.General rightsCopyright for the publications made accessible via the Edinburgh Research Explorer is retained by the author(s)and / or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing these publications that users recognise andabide by the legal requirements associated with these rights.Take down policyThe University of Edinburgh has made every reasonable effort to ensure that Edinburgh Research Explorercontent complies with UK legislation. If you believe that the public display of this file breaches copyright pleasecontact openaccess@ed.ac.uk providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately andinvestigate your claim.Download date: 20. Feb. 2015Reference:	  	  Watt,	  C.	  (2014).	  Journal of Scientific Exploration, Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 190–191, 2014 0892-3310/14	  	  Review	  of	  Education	  in	  Parapsychology:	  Student	  and	  Instructor	  Perspectives	  by	  Harvey	  J	  Irwin	  AIPR	  Monograph	  No.	  2	  (2013)	  Gladesville,	  NSW:	  AIPR,	  Inc	  ISBN:	  978-­‐0-­‐9870772-­‐1-­‐9	  	  Harvey	  Irwin	  has	  had	  over	  30	  years	  of	  involvement	  in	  both	  teaching	  and	  researching	  parapsychology	  within	  a	  university	  setting.	  In	  this	  monograph	  he	  offers,	  with	  much	  modesty,	  advice	  for	  students	  and	  instructors	  based	  on	  his	  valuable	  experience	  in	  the	  field.	  It	  feels	  like	  a	  parting	  gift,	  as	  he	  states	  in	  the	  Preface:	  "as	  I	  near	  the	  end	  of	  my	  own	  career	  in	  parapsychology	  it	  is	  timely	  that	  I	  proffer	  to	  others	  the	  benefit	  of	  my	  considered	  experience	  to	  use	  or	  not	  to	  use	  as	  they	  wish"	  (p.	  viii).	  The	  monograph	  consists	  of	  two	  parts,	  the	  first	  directed	  towards	  prospective	  students	  of	  parapsychology,	  and	  the	  second	  towards	  prospective	  instructors.	  While	  these	  may	  seem	  like	  two	  distinct	  audiences,	  as	  Irwin	  notes	  there	  is	  much	  for	  the	  student	  to	  gain	  from	  considering	  the	  perspective	  taken	  by	  an	  instructor	  as	  he	  or	  she	  plans	  a	  course	  in	  parapsychology,	  and	  speaking	  from	  my	  own	  experience	  as	  an	  educator	  in	  this	  field,	  I	  am	  confident	  that	  from	  now	  on	  I	  will	  be	  recommending	  this	  book	  to	  every	  prospective	  student	  who	  approaches	  me.	  	  In	  the	  first	  part	  of	  the	  monograph,	  Irwin	  pulls	  no	  punches	  in	  addressing	  misconceptions	  about	  parapsychology,	  motives	  for	  studying	  parapsychology,	  practicalities	  and	  benefits	  of	  studying	  this	  topic.	  He	  gives	  a	  frank	  and	  realistic	  appraisal	  of	  what	  it	  means	  to	  study	  parapsychology,	  and	  provides	  wise	  advice	  on	  how	  to	  do	  so	  whilst	  minimizing	  the	  risk	  of	  damaging	  one's	  future	  career	  prospects.	  In	  addition	  to	  advice	  to	  educators	  on	  designing	  a	  parapsychology	  course,	  part	  two	  gives	  practical	  advice	  based	  on	  the	  (not	  unreasonable)	  assumption	  that	  the	  prospective	  instructor	  is	  situated	  within	  an	  academic	  environment	  that	  may	  be	  hesitant	  or	  even	  openly	  hostile	  to	  the	  idea	  of	  teaching	  students	  about	  such	  a	  controversial	  topic.	  	  	  In	  sum,	  I	  think	  this	  monograph	  will	  be	  of	  great	  value	  to	  readers	  who	  wish	  to	  become	  actively	  involved	  in	  learning	  or	  teaching	  parapsychology.	  It	  is	  succinctly	  written,	  but	  packed	  full	  of	  treasures.	  Fittingly,	  Irwin	  dedicates	  the	  book	  to	  his	  students,	  from	  whom	  he	  has	  learned	  so	  much	  about	  the	  fascination	  of	  parapsychology.	  	  Dr	  Caroline	  Watt	  Perrott-­‐Warrick	  Senior	  Researcher	  Koestler	  Parapsychology	  Unit	  University	  of	  Edinburgh	  Scotland,	  UK	  	  

A Review of Education in Parapsychology: Student and Instructor Perspectives by Harvey J. Irwin

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Edinburgh Research Explorer