Fake News, Lies, and Propaganda: A University of Michigan Library Class

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Image courtesy of https://www.britannica.com/topic/newspaper Links to an external site. Goodshoot/Alamy.

NOTE TO INSTRUCTORS:  TEACHING MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE AT 
https://sites.google.com/umich.edu/library-fake-news/ Links to an external site..  The assignments in this course take advantage of the integration of Google Drive and Canvas on our campus. See the companion site if the assignments are unavailable to you.  Links to an external site.This course was co-developed by Jo Angela Oehrli Links to an external site., Shevon Desai Links to an external site., and Hailey Mooney Links to an external site..

Please see Download the syllabus

for information about this course (Machine readable version of the syllabus is available here Links to an external site.). Dates and topics are tentative and may be adjusted to better respond to student needs and unforeseen circumstances. Any schedule changes will be posted in Canvas, shared via email, and announced in class.  Please see the Download Final Project Instructions for information about the final project.

There is no textbook for the class.  BRING YOUR LAPTOP TO EVERY CLASS PERIOD and make sure that it is charged up!  This is a hands on class.  It will be difficult to participate in class without your laptop and participation is 33% of your grade.  The instructor is happy to make arrangements with you to loan a laptop to you for the class period.  

CLASS BEGINS MARCH 5TH! 

Weekly Work

CONTENT  WEEK ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES
Week 1:  Course Overview.  What Is News?  What Is Fake News? What Is Opinion? Final Project Instructions March 5
Week 2:  Strategies for Identifying "Real" News.  Evaluating Sources and Determination of Source Credibility March 12 Assignment 1 Due at beginning of class
Week 3:  Journalistic Integrity and News Production. March 19 Assignment 2 Due midnight, Friday, March 16
Week 4: The Information Landscape:  Media Fragmentation and Social Media March 26 Assignment 3 Due at beginning of class
Week 5:  Fact-checking Statistics and Data April 2 Assignment 4 Due at beginning of class
Week 6: Is Reality Subjective? April 9 Assignment 5 Due at beginning of class
Week 7:  Catching Up and Project Presentations April 16 Reading and Final Project due at beginning of class
Final Project Turn In Location Due at beginning of class