BIOE 5620 Propaganda

Is “propaganda” a dirty word? First there was the word, then there was propaganda. This participatory seminar course will involve exploration of propaganda, misinformation, disinformation, and persuasion in the health domain. We will address how propaganda is defined, how to identify it, analyze it, and counter it; examine actors, sources, and methods of communication, interests promoted, audiences targeted, outcomes, and the roles of values and uncertainty; and consider the related ethical issues. Students will research, present, and lead a discussion on an example of propaganda in the health realm. Topics will range from race, eugenics, wars on cancer and illegal drugs, firearms, climate change, income inequality, drug marketing, abortion, public hygiene, smoking, STDs, GMO, obesity, healthcare reform, vaccines, vivisection, new technologies, Covid-19, and other relevant topics.