In the popular parlor game “two truths and a lie” each participant makes three statements only two of which are true; the other participants must discern which statement is a lie. You score points by fooling others or by not being fooled.
This course ramps up the premise of the game to ten weeks of inquiry about belief and persuasion, with a goal of increasing everyone’s ability to recognize facts, evaluate evidence, identify falsehood, and persuade your audience. By the end of the quarter you will have conducted research and presented your research in three formats (for example, in writing, in a photo, graph or other image, and in audio). Two of these will be “real,” one will be “fake,” and your classmates will discern which is which.
A logical choice for your research would be a topic in which you have achieved some authority, for example through previous courses or coordinated studies or through work or lived experience. Your area of authority could be in the sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities, or any combination. Everyone is welcome!
The three goals of the offering: 1) to increase your communication and persuasion skills; 2) to increase your information literacy skills especially with regard to detecting misinformation or disinformation; 3) to gain generative AI fluency at a level you can include on your resume.
This offering provides instruction in ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence tools. Assigned readings will be, whenever possible, no-cost or low-cost with substantial use of the library.
Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:
8 Communication and Information Studies
4 Digital Media Practices
4 The Subject Area of Your Research Project
Registration
Academic Details
Preparatory for career or studies in virtually any endeavor that involves communication with other human beings. As generative AI displaces some jobs people with generative AI skills have a comparative advantage for career advancement in fields including but not limited to print and digital media, marketing, education, publication, law, communications, leadership, and management.