Misinformation and Society

Catalog description

Develops strategies and tactics to recognize misinformation, and inoculates students--and helps them join the battle--against it. Misinformation in our context is false information purposefully created to deceive and cause harm. It runs rampant in today's digital information ecosystem, and is becoming more and more sophisticated and difficult to spot. Bad actors are using powerful tools and techniques to infect our information supply, sowing confusion and discord. While there are laudable efforts to staunch the flow of misinformation, media users need help in deciding what information to trust. Examines the evolution of misinformation and the range of content types that fall under its umbrella. Explores tools, techniques and tactics that individuals can employ to identify misinformation, and gives them a head start on making informed decisions on what, and whom, they can trust.