Mind Over Chatter is a Course
Full course description
Course Introduction
Mind Over Chatter contains materials and exercises for students to hone their skills navigating the post-truth era, as well as supportive materials for instructors who are disseminating the content. The goal for instructors is ultimately to create a forum where students can share their impressions of these concepts, come up with new examples and strategies, and question personal and societal assumptions from a variety of perspectives.
Funded with generous support from the Rita Allen Foundation and RTI International.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the modules, you will be able to:
- Help students form an understanding of truth in a world full of complex information
- Introduce students to elements of messaging, persuasion, and rhetoric
- Explain the relationship between knowledge and trust of authorities
- Present mere exposure effect, a psychological phenomenon that influences what we believe
- Engage students in examining how our brains form and preserve understanding
Module Topics Include
- Framing Effects
- Paradox of Authority
- Mere Exposure Effect
- Confirmation Bias
- Mindfulness, Media, and Misinformation
Meet the Creators
Mark Canada, Ph.D., former journalist, is the co-author of the textbook Introduction to Information Literacy for Students (Wiley, 2017) and is a frequent presenter on information literacy, "fake news," and the media.
Paul Cook, Ph.D., co-leads IU Kokomo's Digital Polarization Initiative, a project of AASCU's ADP, and serves as reviews editor for the interdisciplinary writing journal Across the Disciplines.
Polly Boruff-Jones, M.L.S., M.P.A., is the Dean of University Libraries at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.
Dr. Christina Downey's primary focus is on improving student success and reducing equity gaps in student performance across the campus.
For questions or inquiries, please contact Dr. Christina Downey at downeyca@iuk.edu.