HUM199H Who Shot JFK? The Illusion and Reality of Evidence

The assassination of United States President John F. Kennedy in 1963 remains one of the most compelling political murder mysteries of modern times. For over four decades, the official conclusion of the Warren Commission Report that President Kennedy was shot by a lone, deranged gunman has been disputed by scholars, popular writers, and film-makers. They contend that Kennedy was a victim of a "conspiracy" and "coverup," involving American and/or foreign government agents, organized crime, and the US military-industrial complex. By focusing on the evidence that supports both sides of the controversy, this seminar will help students to learn about how to evaluate evidence and how to use evidence to support an argument. The course is not designed to resolve this so-called crime of the century but to improve the student's capacity for critical thinking, research, and writing.