Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3267: Misinformation, Misperceptions and Conspiracy Theories

This module descriptor refers to the 2023/4 academic year.

Overview

NQF Level 6
Credits 15 ECTS Value 7.5
Term(s) and duration

This module will run during term 2 (11 weeks)

Academic staff

Dr Florian Stoeckel (Convenor)

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Available via distance learning

No

This module will examine three distinct but related areas of study of significant importance in contemporary politics —misinformation, misperceptions, and conspiracy thinking. This module considers each of these three distinct but related topics, including but not limited to: the epistemological foundations of how we identify each of the three phenomena, the prevalence of each in society (and their correlates), and possible interventions designed to ameliorate the damage they may cause to society. While the course focuses mostly on the political domain, we will also examine aligned domains such as health (e.g., vaccine attitudes and behaviors). We will also examine how these phenomena are associated with policy preferences and election outcomes.

Module created

19/01/2020

Last revised

02/03/2022