Fake news, truth telling and contemporary networked cultures

Module description

This module offers a critical approach to thinking and reflecting on issues and debates related to the "post-truth" era discourse, "fake news" and problematic information flow within the context of contemporary communication practices and network cultures. It will adopt an empirically-informed (digital) media studies approach with a strong international dimension, focusing on global media systems and global digital cultures. The module will set the scene to the understanding of the myriad of problematic online and networked information circulating in digital platforms, allowing students to critically consider how this developement relates to contemporary socio-political and socio-cultural context such as global justice, climate awareness and health communication. In addition, students can expect to discuss and explore tools available to identify problematic information as well as debate approaches that have been adopted to address the "problem", including content moderation, censorship and fact-checking.

Assessment details

Group project (50%)

3,000 word essay (50%)

Educational aims & objectives

Over the course of the semester, the module will enable students to:

• Build a critical understanding of concepts and developments related to "fake news" and "post-truth", particularly within the context of contemporary networked cultures.
• Demonstrate awareness of the spectrum of content, practices and behaviour related to the spread and sharing of problematic information.
• Locate contemporary understandings of mis/disinformation within the historical trajectory of propaganda and political communication.
• Develop practical and analytical skills required to identify problematic information circulating in digital and online spaces.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

• Differentiate between the various kinds of online and networked information to understand causes, responsibility and consequences related to "fake news".
• Critically consider the development of problematic information in relation to significant contemporary social, political and cultural questions, including global justice, climate awareness and international health communication.
• Reflectively address technical affordances that generate and transmit problematic information.
• Demonstrate the analytical skills required for navigating (problematic) online information on various digital platforms.

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.