Below is a syllabus of a high school level paranormal investigation course I developed for my daughter. I created this course to fulfill a requirement for an elective. This course was accepted by her school as a science elective. I used online resources that I felt included the material I thought should be covered. The syllabus currently contains assignments for one semester of work with about 2 hours of work each week.
Course Title: Paranormal Investigation 1A
Department: Electives/Life Skills
Grade Level: 11-12
Course Length: 1 semester
Credits/Semester: 5
Prerequisites: none
Paranormal Investigation 1A
Course Overview
This course will cover many aspects of paranormal investigation. Topics covered in this course include:
The history and theories behind residual hauntings, poltergeist activity and apparitions
The different types of spirits you may encounter
How to interview witnesses
The importance of historical research in paranormal investigating
Identification of hazards encountered during investigations
Step by step guidelines on how to conduct actual paranormal investigations
How to document evidence while investigating and during analysis
How to use the scientific method and technology while investigating
How to ensure that equipment isn't being influenced by outside influences or members of the group
Best practices for communicating with ghosts and spirits and advice on how to verify and validate these communications in order to establish whether genuine contact has been made
How to discredit unreliable data and false positives
How psychic abilities may play a role in the paranormal
Evidence review and analysis
How to present evidence to the contact
The following online resources are used during this course. The abbreviation before the course title/link is used throughout this syllabus to identify which resource is to be used during the assignment.
(IP: Investigating the Paranormal | Udemy)
(GHPI: Diploma in Ghost Hunting and Paranormal Investigation | Paranormal (teachable.com))
Unit 1-2 Classification of Hauntings
Unit length: 2 weeks
Unit description: Become familiar with the different types of hauntings and the indicators of each type.
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Assignment |
Resources |
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List the different types of hauntings and their characteristics and indicators |
(IP) Hauntings, Poltergeists, and Apparitions: Some History and Theories (PGH) Classification of Hauntings (GHPI) Types of Spirits and Signs of a Haunting |
Unit 3-4 Historical Research
Unit length: 2 weeks
Unit description: Learn how to conduct research into a location. Develop a list of resources for historical research.
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Assignment |
Resources |
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Create your own list of historical resources. |
(IP) Past Connections: Historical Research and the Paranormal (PGH) Background research |
Unit 5 Witnesses
Unit Length: 1 week
Unit Description: Learn the importance of witness statements and how to interview a witness.
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Assignment |
Resources |
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Write a summary of what information you want to gather before going to a potentially haunted location. Develop a list of questions to ask witnesses. |
(IP) Ethically Interviewing and Working With Witnesses |
Unit 6 - 7 Ghost Hunting Equipment
Unit Length: 2 weeks
Unit Description: Learn the different types of equipment used in paranormal investigations. Identify how they work, when to use each piece of equipment, its strengths and weaknesses.
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Assignment |
Resources |
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Study each type of equipment presented. Create a catalog that details how each piece works, its intended use, when to use (and not use) it, what indicates a potential paranormal reading, and what does not. |
(IP) Using Science and Technology in Field Investigations (PGH) Capture evidence of the haunting (GHPI) Ghost Hunting Equipment |
Unit 8-9 Collecting Data
Unit Length: 2 weeks
Unit Description: Develop a system for cataloging evidence collected.
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Assignment |
Resources |
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Develop a system for cataloging evidence collected, including the who, what, when, where, and how the evidence was collected. This system should allow for the recording of analysis of the data. There should also be provisions for the recording of baseline data and known interference. |
(IP) Using Science and Technology in Field Investigations (PGH) Capture evidence of the haunting (GHPI) Carrying out a Paranormal Investigation |
Unit 10-11 Interacting with Paranormal Entities
Unit Length: 2 weeks
Unit Description: Understand the different techniques used to communicate with paranormal entities.
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Assignment |
Resources |
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Summarize the different methods used to communicate with paranormal entities. Identify the method, techniques, and equipment used, when the method should be used, and the expected results – both effective and ineffective. |
(PGH) Communicating with ghosts or spirits (GHPI) Carrying out a Paranormal Investigation |
Unit 12 Hazards of Paranormal Investigation
Unit Length: 1 week
Unit Description: Identify the risks of paranormal investigations both from a health and safety point of view and a legal point of view.
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Assignment |
Resources |
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Summarize the health and safety concerns of paranormal investigation. Summarize the legal and ethical concerns of performing a paranormal investigation. |
(PGH) Legalities of ghost hunting |
Unit 13-16 First Paranormal Investigation
Unit Length: 3 weeks
Unit Description: Using the skills you have learned, prepare for and perform an investigation at a location that has reports of paranormal activity.
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Assignment |
Expected Outcome |
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Contact proprietor |
Permission from the studio proprietor to conduct investigation activities. |
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Identify and interview witnesses of paranormal activity |
A summary of activities, including what, where, and when. |
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Historical research |
Utilize your historical resources to research the location. Identify any events that could lead to paranormal activity. Include the sources used during the research. |
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Develop an investigation plan |
A description of the resources needed – equipment, batteries, people, etc. A schedule of when investigation and analysis will occur. Identification of potential hazards. A plan for reducing the risk of identified hazards. A plan for out-briefings. |
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Perform the investigation |
Execute the investigation plan. Adapt the plan and situations unfold. |
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Document suspected paranormal activity |
Using the cataloging system you developed earlier in the course, document suspected paranormal activity. |
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Analyze evidence |
Documented analysis of suspected paranormal activity, including possible contamination, or normal (non-paranormal) sources for the evidence. |
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Organize evidence for out-briefing |
Organize any evidence of paranormal activity and the analysis of the evidence for the out-briefing. |
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Perform the out-briefing |
Present the evidence and its analysis to the contact for the location. |