Syllabus: Media Literacy and Identifying Misinformation

Mondays, 1pm–3pm PST

Meeting Dates: June 2, 9, 16

CSUSM OLLI Program, Online-Zoom Platform

Instructor: Jason Hensley, PhD, DMin; jason.n.ruthie@gmail.com

Course Description:

Today, we are on information overload. There is more information available than there has ever been at any point in time in history. Unfortunately, with this glut of information, much of it is also untrue––sometimes purposefully, and sometimes accidentally. But how can we tell what’s true and what is not true? How can we ensure that the information we consider is right––since our decisions are really only as good as our information? This series will discuss the tools for sifting through information, identifying conspiracies, and fact-checking social media.

Topic Outline/Schedule:

Week 1, June 2: Misinformation and Bias

Week 2, June 9: The Impact of Misinformation

Week 3, June 16: Misinformation and AI