Digital media and disinformation

Learning outcomes

This interdisciplinary course analyses the relationship between digital media and disinformation. By studying case studies and participating in workshops, students will develop the critical and practical skills needed to recognise and counter online disinformation campaigns.

Expected learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• use the analytical tools necessary for critical thinking about the daily flow of information via the web;
• understand the dynamics of the production, dissemination and consumption of disinformation;
• Reconstruct the purposes, characteristics, and methods of the intentional dissemination of false news or information;
• acquire the practical skills needed to verify sources and analyse disinformation campaigns.

Course contents

The first part of the course will introduce the concept of the 'society of disinformation'. Starting from the significant impact of digital media on the production and consumption of information, the lessons will focus on analysing the tools and methods that contribute to the global spread of disinformation, which is particularly insidious in terms of political debate and electoral competition. Subsequently, a comparative and transnational approach will be used to study some cases of disinformation campaigns that have affected armed conflicts, the emergence of terrorist groups, the healthcare sector and electoral competitions in recent years.

Reading/Bibliography

All materials presented and discussed in class will be uploaded to SharePoint. Open access essays and scientific articles will also be made available, as well as individual chapters from books dealing with the topics and case studies discussed in class.

Teaching methods

During the lessons, the teacher's explanations will be supported by slides, written texts, and audiovisual materials. The lessons will be seminar-based, with students constantly being called upon to discuss the course content presented in each lesson with the teacher and their colleagues. They will also be asked to participate in guided discussions of case studies, either individually or in groups.

Assessment methods

At the end of the course, students will be required to take an oral examination, which will assess the knowledge they have acquired by studying the provided texts and the lesson content in depth.