TOPICS IN GOVERNMENT AND MASS MEDIA

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: Senior standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: Yes, unlimited number of completions Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe the issues regarding misinformation/disinformation in the digital age, with an emphasis on the role played by tech platforms. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Describe a wide range of forms of misinformation/disinformation (propaganda, [false] news, conspiracies, rumors) in different contexts (e.g., election interference, political campaigns, influence campaigns around public health issues). Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Explain a) where misinformation/disinformation originates and who exploits it; b) how misinformation/disinformation diffuses among the public and how prevalent it is; c) what impact misinformation/disinformation has on the public; and d) what we should do to address misinformation and disinformation. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Perform deliberation and debate on policies regarding misinformation regulations in the digital age. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Critique the current research on misinformation focusing on conceptualization and research design. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe the issues regarding misinformation/disinformation in the digital age, with an emphasis on the role played by tech platforms. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Describe a wide range of forms of misinformation/disinformation (propaganda, [false] news, conspiracies, rumors) in different contexts (e.g., election interference, political campaigns, influence campaigns around public health issues). Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Explain a) where misinformation/disinformation originates and who exploits it; b) how misinformation/disinformation diffuses among the public and how prevalent it is; c) what impact misinformation/disinformation has on the public; and d) what we should do to address misinformation and disinformation. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Perform deliberation and debate on policies regarding misinformation regulations in the digital age. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Critique the current research on misinformation focusing on conceptualization and research design. Audience: Graduate