Singapore University of Social Sciences

Media Literacy in the Age of Fake News

Media Literacy in the Age of Fake News (HBC209)

Synopsis

Fake news is a serious issue for governments around the world. Governments and media organisations have raised concerns over the profound impact of fake news on society and newsrooms. This has been observed from the Iraq Wars in the 80s and 90s, the Brexit campaign and the US Presidential Election in 2016. Fake news has dented the reputation and credibility of individuals, companies and even governments. This course provides students with an overview of the characteristics and mechanics of fake news and how it influences politics, economy, and everyday life. The course will equip students with the relevant knowledge and skills to identify fake news and address issues pertaining to falsehoods and misinformation. In addition, students will acquire the skills to identify common fallacies and biases that affect our interpretation of information and news.

Level: 2
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: Every semester
E-Learning: BLENDED - Learning is done ENTIRELY online using interactive study materials in Canvas. Students receive guidance and support from online instructors via discussion forums and emails. There are no face-to-face sessions. If the course has an exam component, this will be administered on-campus.

Topics

  • Media Literacy & Cyber Wellness
  • Theoretical Approaches to Media Literacy Education
  • Common Fallacies & Psychological Biases in Interpreting Information
  • Understanding Fake News & Misinformation
  • Distinguishing between Credible Sources & Biases
  • Communication Technology & Fake News
  • Case Study 1: Fake News on Print & Broadcast Media
  • Case Study 2: Online Falsehoods
  • Impact of Fake News & Misinformation
  • Understanding the New Fake News Law in Singapore
  • Identifying Fake News & Online Falsehoods
  • Solutions to Fight Fake News

Learning Outcome

  • Explain media literacy and cyber wellness.
  • Review the differences between trustworthy news and fake news.
  • Identify online falsehood and misinformation on various media.
  • Analyse issues pertaining to misinformation.
  • Discuss the impact of fake news on our society.
  • Present action plans to proactively spot and address problems pertaining to online falsehoods.
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