Confronting Misinformation Online: Law and Policy
Current Offerings
Confronting Misinformation Online: Law and Policy (4053): This course explores the complex legal and policy challenges posed by false and misleading information online. Students will examine how such content affects election integrity, public health, climate security, and the spread of inflammatory rumors during armed conflict and widespread human rights violations. The class will analyze a range of responses, including private sector content moderation practices, governmental regulatory efforts in the U.S. and Europe, and recent court cases. Students will engage with the tension between combating harmful content and protecting freedom of expression. The course will also consider how advances in artificial intelligence--both as a tool for analyzing and moderating content and as a generator of synthetic media--are transforming the broader online information landscape and the legal and governance frameworks that seek to manage it. Along with the faculty, guest speakers from academia and industry thought leaders will present on these topics, followed by a discussion. In addition, students will analyze real-world dilemmas confronting policymakers through practical case studies and will assume the role of a policymaker from either the private sector, the government, or a non-governmental organization as part of each class. Special Instructions: Up to five Law students, with the consent of the instructors, will have the option to write an independent research paper for Law School Research (R) credit. For students in this section (02), the research paper will replace the Final Policy Memo. All other elements used in grading will apply. Students taking the course for R credit can take the course for either 2 or 3 units, depending on the paper length. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Written Assignments; Final Policy Memo or Final Research Paper. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available at https://forms.gle/SZqA9gvHKwsDugsM8 by 11:59pm November 24, 2025.. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the class is full. Cross-listed with International Policy (INTLPOL 363).
Sections
Past Offerings
Confronting Misinformation Online: Law and Policy (4053): This course will examine contemporary challenges and trade-offs for tech law and policy decision-making presented by false information online. Topics will include private sector content policy approaches, governmental regulatory responses (both U.S. and European), and contemporary litigation challenges in the context of election misinformation; medical misinformation; the spread of misinformation in armed conflict and situations of widespread human rights violations; climate misinformation; and the effects of misinformation on news integrity. In exploring these topics, we will also consider the implications of artificial intelligence for the challenge of managing online misinformation. Along with the faculty, guest speakers from academia and industry thought leaders will present on these topics, followed by a discussion. In addition, students will analyze real-world dilemmas confronting policymakers through practical case studies and will assume the role of a policymaker from either the private sector, the government, or a non-governmental organization as part of each class. Finally, this course will explore regulatory, policy, technological, and other solutions to enhance the integrity of the online information ecosystem and address the growing problem of false information online. Special Instructions: Up to five Law students, with the consent of the instructors, will have the option to write an independent research paper for Law School Research (R) credit. For students in this section (02), the research paper will replace the Final Policy Memo. All other elements used in grading will apply. Students taking the course for R credit can take the course for either 2 or 3 units, depending on the paper length. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Written Assignments; Final Policy Memo or Final Research Paper. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFCqLdfYX2psGmE7Z1-JoaqEzQEQmoMYLJ1VZFCT_qj0PJVg/viewform. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline. Cross-listed with International Policy (INTLPOL 363).
Sections
-
2024-2025 WinterSchedule No Longer Available
-
2024-2025 WinterSchedule No Longer Available
Confronting Misinformation Online: Law and Policy (4053): This course will examine contemporary challenges and trade-offs for tech law and policy decision-making presented by false information online. Topics will include private sector content policy approaches, governmental regulatory responses (both U.S. and European), and contemporary litigation challenges in the context of election misinformation; medical misinformation; the spread of misinformation in armed conflict and situations of widespread human rights violations; climate misinformation; and the effects of misinformation on news integrity. In exploring these topics, we will also consider the implications of artificial intelligence for the challenge of managing online misinformation. Along with the faculty, guest speakers from academia and industry thought leaders will present on these topics, followed by a discussion. In addition, students will analyze real-world dilemmas confronting policymakers through practical case studies and will assume the role of a policymaker from either the private sector, the government, or a non-governmental organization as part of each class. Finally, this course will explore regulatory, policy, technological, and other solutions to enhance the integrity of the online information ecosystem and address the growing problem of false information online. Special Instructions: Up to five Law students, with the consent of the instructors, will have the option to write an independent research paper for Law School Research (R) credit. For students in this section (02), the research paper will replace the Final Policy Memo. All other elements used in grading will apply. Students taking the course for R credit can take the course for either 2 or 3 units, depending on the paper length. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Written Assignments; Final Policy Memo or Final Research Paper. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available at https://forms.gle/phWuWfCJzCDNnCfR9. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline. Cross-listed with International Policy (INTLPOL 363).
Sections
-
2023-2024 WinterSchedule No Longer Available
-
2023-2024 WinterSchedule No Longer Available