7.1 Causation, Blame, and Policy

Learning Goals

[Link to PlayPosit]

More details

After this lesson, students should

1. Distinguish between singular and general causation.
2. Distinguish between the evidence needed to establish singular or general causation.
3. Identify different policy implications of singular or general causation.

Definitions

• Singular causation

  A causal relation between two specific events.

• General causation

  A causal relation between two variables.

Examples

• A randomised controlled trial for a drug may demonstrate its general therapeutic effect, e.g. taking this drug reduces the risks of this disease, but it cannot demonstrate any causal connection in any particular instance of a patient taking this drug.
• One can claim that climate change causes extreme weather events, but not that any particular instance of wildfire was caused by climate change.

Common Misconceptions

• Mistaken quote

  Explanation.

Context

[Explanation of how the current topic into the larger context of the course by explaining how the previous topic(s) relate to the current topic and leaving cliffhangers for future topics where relevant throughout the lesson]

Before

X.X Lesson Name

Explanation.

• Itemized explanation.

After

X.X Lesson Name

Explanation.

• Itemized explanation.

Recommended Outline

Before Class

• [Any essential logistical things that need to be done for this class]
• Prepare a seating chart.
• Review PlayPosit and discussion questions and ask faculty, Gabriel, or Emlen any questions you have.
• (Optional) Prepare a presentation.

During Class

• (5 min) Come up with some fun way to assign the roles of spokesperson and notetaker (e.g. earliest birthday in the year, lives furthest from campus). Remind them of the responsibilities of these roles.
• ([#] min) [Description of some module from #Lesson Content]
• (5 min) Collect questions for plenary.

After Class

• [Any essential logistical things that need to be done as followup for this class]
• Collect answers from notetakers for the forum / plenary.

Lesson Content

Clicker Question

1. Question
   1. First option
   2. Second option
   3. Third option
   4. Fourth option

Activity 1: Name

[Brief description of and motivation for the activity]

Discussion Questions

1. Question 1
   1. Subquestion a

   2. Subquestion b

Collect Questions for Plenary

(5 min) Collect remaining questions from the students for faculty in plenary (can be questions for clarification, extension, discussion, etc.), and add [ here].