When I was in college I took a course on critical thinking science in which students picked a topic generally considered on the fringe of science or outright pseudoscience and then were expected to write a thorough paper analyzing the claims and counter-claims surrounding it.

I wrote a 15,000 word paper on Immaneul Velikovsky's claims. Other people took on UFOs, astrology, Linus Pauling's vitamin C claims, etc.

IMO this was really an excellent way to teach this sort of material. The weird thing was the prof. was definitely a believer, but a very critical one. So he knew all about the standard UFO hoaxes, but was very active in MUFON and other groups and was convinced that the were legitimate UFO sightings.

Sounds like your professor was a card-carrying Fortean!

I think a course like the one you described should be a requirement in all high schools.