Communication and Misinformation (303-0-20)
Instructors
Nathan Walter
Meeting Info
University Hall 122: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
The notion that people are misinformed about health, politics, science, and the environment has almost reached the point of truism. After all, it is far from being a coincidence that the Oxford Dictionary announced that "post-truth" is its 2016 word of the year. Their choice seems apt, given that a substantial portion of the population strongly believes that climate change is an elaborate Chinese hoax, the MMR vaccine causes autism, and the 44th President of the United States is a Kenyan-born Muslim. This course will explore the factors that make people vulnerable to misinformation and the reasons that corrections so often fail to change their minds. We will also analyze how those tendencies are exploited by various stakeholders and consider possible remedies that could be employed to combat misperceptions. Additionally, students will put knowledge into practice, by completing an original research project in small groups.
Class Materials (Required)
No textbook required.
Class Attributes
SDG Climate Action