Dis- and misinformation have toxic implications for the wellbeing of
individuals, groups, and societies. As interconnected producers and
consumers of information we bring our own cognitive biases and
beliefs, and frequently find ourselves questioning what information
sources to trust. This course draws on interdisciplinary perspectives
from communication, media, and information studies to explore ways
to understand, navigate, and thrive in a polluted ecology of digital
social systems. Through active coursework, students will learn to
engage in these systems as aware, empowered, and responsible
communicators and information agents.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Explain key concepts related to misinformation, disinformation,
and broader information manipulation.
2. Describe the relationship between source expertise and
trustworthiness of content, especially as it relates to the
production of scientific knowledge.
3. Apply responsible information behaviors in relation to
evaluation, curation, and sharing, including strategies to curb
the spread of mis- and dis-information in work and in daily life.
4. Critically analyze and chart the complex dynamics and flow of
mis- and dis-information across networked media and
information systems
5. Recognize and discuss a diverse range of scholarly
perspectives on causes and consequences of misinformation
and disinformation in democratic society.