Media in the Era of Disinformation

Content

The course is led by scholars and lectures from the fields of journalism, media studies, and communication but will also engage empirical examples, scholars, and practitioners from different fields (e.g. law, linguistics, semiotics, security) in order to provide a nuanced overview of the field, current problems, and possible solutions.

The course can be categorized into 4 grand topics:

1. general media framework
2. info disorders
3. the flawed human brain
4. journalistic work practices

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student:

• is familiar with more common theories and everyday concepts of information society and knows how to recognize and analyse (the dominant signs of) information disorder;
• has an overview the work processes, roles and professional demands of journalists in contemporary media systems;
• understands the potential effects of information disorder - on micro, meso and macro levels;
• is familiar with the vocabulary on related topics, is able to discuss and critically analyse some of the contemporary issues of the information society and mediatization processes;
• has the skills to independently seek additional information related to the information society concepts;
• uses at least three different methods from "data journalism", understands their uses in different contexts;
• can use various e-learning opportunities and is reflexive about the experience, has used e-learning platforms for cooperation and group-work;
• is able to analyse and (to a certain extent) create media content that have journalistic value;
• can find, develop and use study materials for various stakeholders and target groups within the framework of media/information/digital literacies.

Teaching format

Online lectures/seminars (30 %) combined with self-learning (70%).

Homework

1. Nearly every topic has some independent prep-work that gives 3 points each week. All tasks will be available in Moodle. The specific tasks help students to prepare for the specific topic, give the base level knowledge that seminars and lectures will build upon. Max 2-3 hours per week. Total of 24 hours of work. Total of 30 points.

2. Nearly every topic has a closure-task (3p each) that anchors and strengthens the knowledge/skills acquired. All tasks will be available in Moodle. Max 2-3 hours per week. Total of 24 hours of work. Total of 30 points.

Practical assignment in the format of online lectures

3. Each week's lecture/seminar/workshop. Show up, participate and enjoy :) I will not check participation, this is entirely up to you, as university-level studies rely upon students' inner motivation. Course feedback is mostly very positive, with the exception of involvement in class. Perceived low involvement is probably the result of lax rules of participation. So be aware - if you yourself don't make an effort, you will probably leave with a feeling of "I could have done more to take the max out of this course!". Total of 30 hours of work.

Reflective learning diary

4. The students are asked to keep an informal study diary (or a study portfolio) throughout the course. The tool helps develop reflexivity and deeper learning over a longer period of time. Entries should be minimum of 200 words per entry, visuals can be used as well. Max points 15. Total of 8 hours of work.

Homework

5. Independent work on week 11 (5p) - choose one topic and do the related task. A total of 7 hours of work.

Project

6. As a final project - in groups of 4-6: design (and carry out for extra points and eternal glory) a mini-intervention that would increase people's media/information/digital literacies in a novel way that is fitting to attention economy and information disorders. Create order from chaos :) Max 50p. Total of 40 hours of work. Group consultations with Maria Murumaa-Mengel will be available upon request.

E-learning environment: UTARTU Moodle

Programme

Topics to be covered:
Week 1: Hello and welcome, course overview. Warm-up. Resilience.
Week 2: Why media plays an integral role in information disorders. Contemporary information society and (deep) mediatization: ubiquitous, invasive and invisible media and ICT.
Week 3: Media logic and social media logic. Platformisation.
Week 4: Disinformation, misinformation, malinformation: terminological confusion. Latest developments in academic and general public's terminology.
Week 5: Seminar on mis/dis/malinfo.
Week: 6 Active media users - fans and anti-fans as participants in the info disorder.
Week 7: Media and cognitive biases. Representations. Stereotypes. 
Week 8: Seminar on cognitive biases.
Week 9: Propaganda techniques in old and new media.
Week 10: Conspiracy theories and dark entertainment, #ConspiTok
Week11: No class, independent work AKA choose your own adventure from pre-recorded materials:
Week 12: Contemporary work practices of journalists. Journalism in the age of disinformation. Skill gaps and perceived deficiencies.
Week 13: Data analytics in journalism, data journalists.
Week 14: Contemporary investigative journalistic practices and the importance of skills needed to understand and work on various databases.
Week 15: Mapping the techniques of social media influence operations, dark/alternative influence networks: sealioning, coordinated inauthentic behaviour, malign creativity, trolling, etc
Week 16: Course wrap-up. Final survey. Feedback, reflections, final thoughts.

Assessment

Non-differentiated (pass, fail, not present).
See info explained in the section “Teaching format”.

Lecturers

Maria Murumaa-Mengel and numerous guests

Course dates

This course takes place in the first semester of the academic year 2025-2026. It starts in September.

The course schedule will be available as of May 2, 2025. To check  info after May 2, please see HERE, choose the version 2025/2026 and click on the tab “Events”.

No specific entry requirements. Students from all ENLIGHT partner universities and from all disciplines are eligible to participate.

For application, please use this link (to be added). Apply by August 18, 2025.
The University of Tartu will select the permitted number of students and inform the admitted students as soon as possible. 

Before registration: Please check with your home faculty / programme if the course can be integrated in your curriculum in order to ensure recognition of the credits obtained!

Link to UTartu course description: https://ois2.ut.ee/#/courses/SVUH.00.153/details 

Maria Murumaa-Mengel - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.