I 320U: Topics in User Experience Design: Misinformation, Justice, and Design

Spring Term 2023
Mode: In Person
Instructor
Program: Undergraduate
Unique ID
28139
Day Start End Building Room
  • Tuesday
  • Thursday
  • 09:30 AM
  • 09:30 AM
  • 11:00 AM
  • 11:00 AM
  • MEZ
  • MEZ
  • 1.212
  • 1.212

Catalog Description

Examine misinformation and disinformation from different perspectives like information science, ethics psychology, politics — with a special emphasis on design. Readings and activities provide the basis for exploring problems with, causes of and solutions to online misinformation.

Instructor Description

*THIS TOPIC WILL NO LONGER BE OFFERED AFTER SPRING 2025

In this course, we will work to understand and address the challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and strategic manipulation in online environments. First, we will work to develop a deep understanding of the problem space. We will read and discuss existing research (both historical and contemporary) on how and why misinformation and disinformation spread. Next, we will explore the process, both personal and interpersonal, by which these issues can be approached and addressed in our own lives. This will involve reflecting on our own presuppositions, beliefs, and biases about information; and doing a project in which we apply the principles of Human-Centered Design to investigate different design directions for addressing misleading information. Students will gain important contextual knowledge and hands-on design experience that they can take into future professional domains (from education to policy to technology), where they can contribute to building more trustworthy information systems.

Prerequisites

Upper-division standing and Informatics 310U.

Restrictions

Informatics majors will have top registration priority through the early periods of registration. Informatics minors are encouraged to join the waitlist, which will begin promoting students on December 12 if seats remain available. All other students will need to complete this Registration Support Questionnaire in order to request a seat in any of our classes.

Notes

In this course, we will work to understand and address the challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and strategic manipulation in online environments. First, we will work to develop a deep understanding of the problem space. We will read and discuss existing research (both historical and contemporary) on how and why misinformation and disinformation spread. Next, we will explore the process, both personal and interpersonal, by which these issues can be approached and addressed in our own lives. This will involve reflecting on our own presuppositions, beliefs, and biases about information; and doing a project in which we apply the principles of Human-Centered Design to investigate different design directions for addressing misleading information. Students will gain important contextual knowledge and hands-on design experience that they can take into future professional domains (from education to policy to technology), where they can contribute to building more trustworthy information systems.