- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Politics in the Age of Social Media, Fake News, and Conspiracy Theories 4219-SF056-OG
Free flow of information is a bloodstream of democracy. However, recent events in American politics have demonstrated that it can be abused. It has become a platitude to say that the social media facilitate the spread of fake news and conspiracy theories. The exact social mechanisms behind it and their long-term influence on politics, however, are not as obvious. The aim of this class is to explore the very topical issue and the critical role of the role of the social media in political mobilization, political polarization, and political decisions on individual and collective level. By looking at various theories and case studies, students will investigate the potentials and limitations of the political use of social media as well as their multifaceted and ambivalent impact on democratic politics.
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE
- knowledge of salient events in recent American politics in which social media, fake news and conspiracy theories played important roles
- knowledge of theories and concepts used to analyze the relationship between politics and social media
- analyses US political developments in the light of presented theories and conceptual frameworks
SKILLS:
- ability to discuss and understand texts regarding contemporary American politics
- ability to summarize in writing of written arguments
- ability to prepare written assignments and oral presentation on contemporary American politics, using various sources and formulating a thesis
SOCIAL COMPETENCES:
- ability to discuss and argue in class, to cooperate with other students during in-class assignments
- Openness to various phenomena and ideas; recognition of and respect for cultural difference
Assessment criteria
Analysis of texts - in groups and individually
Attendance and class participation
Reading memos
Oral presentation
Final essay
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: