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Course Description

How do we form our political views, and how does modern media shape our understanding of truth? This course reveals how our political thinking is influenced by values, emotions, and social connections, rather than just facts and evidence. By examining the psychology of political behavior, you'll explore how moral values shape worldviews and how psychological biases affect political thinking.

You'll investigate how media consumption has evolved from traditional radio and television to today's world of social media, smartphones, and 24-hour news. Through examining these transformations, you'll learn to distinguish between different types of content, from factual reporting to disinformation, and understand how these changes affect our ability to determine what's true and trustworthy.

Through reflective activities and discussions, you will analyze your own social and political identities, examine personal media consumption habits, and develop practical strategies for evaluating information sources. Course assignments include mapping your political identities and analyzing how media consumption patterns influence your understanding of current events.

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course: 

  • Defining Democracy

Faculty Author

Paul Friesen

Benefits to the Learner

  • Explore how social identities influence political behavior
  • Analyze how personal values and biases affect what we believe is true
  • Examine how digital media has transformed information consumption
  • Develop strategies for evaluating information sources
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Cornell Brooks School of Public Policy
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