Spring 2025  |  SOC 4090 Section 001: Topics in Sociology -- Calling Bullshit: Data Reasoning in Digital World (64961)

Instructor(s)
Class Component:
Lecture
Credits:
3 Credits
Repeat Credit Limit:
6 Credits
Grading Basis:
Student Option
Instructor Consent:
No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:
In Person
Class Attributes:
Topics Course
Enrollment Requirements:
soph or jr or sr
Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
 
01/21/2025 - 05/05/2025
Tue, Thu 11:15AM - 12:30PM
UMTC, West Bank
Enrollment Status:
Open (0 of 55 seats filled)
Also Offered:
Course Catalog Description:
Topics specified in Class Schedule.prereq: 1001 recommended; soc majors/minors must register A-F; cr will not be granted if cr has been received for the same topics title
Class Notes:
This will be an updated and UMN-specific version of this course, which is offered in one form or another at various universities. This course would have three main learning objectives. All are based on the observations that (1) we live in a world in which we are inundated with news, research findings, social media posts, and other forms of information that claim to present "facts;" (2) it can be difficult for most people - maybe especially younger people(?) - to disentangle trustworthy facts from bullshit; (3) facts and bullshit are often nearly indistinguishable in parts of our lives that really matter (e.g., medical studies, political debates, financial decisions); (4) there is great value in being able to critically evaluate information to distinguish real facts from bullshit; and (5) few people are very skilled at convincing other people that purported facts are actually bullshit. Consequently, the three courses learning objectives include: (1) Helping students be aware of situations in which "facts" might be bullshit; (2) Giving students the tools necessary to understand whether and why "facts" are, indeed, bullshit; (3) Giving students enough background to be able to explain to other people why "facts" are bullshit. If the course is successful, students would be able to sift through "facts" to distinguish valuable and trustworthy information from bullshit; understand exactly why some "facts" are bullshit; persuasively make the case to others whether and when certain "facts" can be trusted as opposed to disregarded as bullshit; and avoid producing or disseminating bullshit of their own in their professional, social, and political lives. Click this link for more detailed course information:
Class Description:
Student may contact the instructor or department for information.
Textbooks:
https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/64961/1253

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