ADPS 2900 The Age of Misinformation

Are we living in the Age of Misinformation? Scholars across the social sciences and humanities are united by a fear of how fast false information can spread. Misinformation appears everywhere our workplaces, our social media feeds, our family dinners. But what is misinformation and where does it come from? Why are some people drawn to it while others remain unaffected? How does anyone distinguish good information from bad, experts from dupes? This course is an interdisciplinary examination of misinformation, its character, its origins, and its impact on social and political life. By surveying the leading theoretical explanations of misinformation from sociology, communication & media studies, psychology, and political science, students will be exposed to cutting edge research on the nature of misinformation and will cultivate tools to hinder its spread in their personal and professional lives.