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