why do college have conspiracy course

by Janie Bergstrom 9 min read

Apply for Honors College Courses Conspiracy culture is not new in the United States. From the Revolutionary War to the era of McCarthyism, Americans were spinning populist counter-narratives about evil doers working through secret societies to undermine the interests of “common” people.

Full Answer

What are some conspiracy theories about space?

How long have conspiracy theories been around?

How much time do I have to complete my course?

How do I start my course?

What is spiritual course?

Is the conspiracy theory true?

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What are some conspiracy theories about space?

Space-related conspiracy theories are covered, including those relat ing to the Moon landings, UFOs and extra-terrestrials. We’ll also explore political conspiracy theories, such as the Deep State and 9/11, and the numerous death conspiracies including those surrounding the deaths of Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy, John Lennon and Bob Marley, to name a few.

How long have conspiracy theories been around?

Conspiracy theories have been around forever. However, in recent times, they have become more and more prevalent. This course guides those who are interested in how they came to be and why they are believable and explores some of the most well-known conspiracy theories and how they materialised.

How much time do I have to complete my course?

There is no time limit for completing your course it can be studied in your own time at your own pace.

How do I start my course?

Once purchased your course is located in your Learning Centre on our website. Please log in using the same email address that you used when you purchased your course.

What is spiritual course?

Spiritual courses are a great resource and provide an excellent foundation for moving forward on your spiritual journey.

Is the conspiracy theory true?

Whilst many conspiracy theories have remained as theories, there are those that have turned out to be true, including the false flag theories and conspiracies relating to Hollywood, the military, the government, and secret medical experimentation practices, such as MKUltra and the FBI’s counterintelligence program, COINTELPRO. The course concludes with an exploration of these examples of events that were once dismissed as conspiracy theories.

Why is conspiracy theory important?

Likewise, conspiracy theories can give their believers a sense of control and security. This is especially true when the alternative account feels threatening. For example, if global temperatures are rising catastrophically due to human activity, then I’ll have to make painful changes to my comfortable lifestyle. But if pundits and politicians assure me that global warming is a hoax, then I can maintain my current way of living. This kind of motivated reasoning is an important component in conspiracy theory beliefs.

Why can't I understand what I'm saying?

You can’t understand what I’m saying because you’re just not listening. We all harbor false beliefs, that is, things we believe to be true but in fact are not. For example, if you believe Sydney is the capital of Australia, you’re the victim of a false belief.

Why do you offer counter evidence to Uncle Joe?

This is because you’re arguing facts, while Uncle Joe is defending his sense of security and his positive feelings about himself. And for all of us, self-image trumps facts every time.

What is the desire for understanding and certainty?

The desire for understanding and certainty. The desire for control and security. The desire to maintain a positive self-image. Let’s look at each of these motives in turn. The desire for understanding and certainty. Seeking explanations for events is a natural human desire. We’re constantly asking why things happen the way they do.

Is conspiracy theory self defeating?

This has led some researchers to conclude that conspiracy-theory belief is self-defeating. However, as Douglas and her colleagues point out, most college students have little motivation to believe in conspiracy theories in the first place.

Do people who are marginalized believe in conspiracy theories?

Research shows that people who feel socially marginalized are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. We all have a desire to maintain a positive self-image, which usually comes from the roles we play in life—our jobs and our relationships with family and friends.

Is conspiracy theory a false belief?

After all, you were simply misinformed, and you’re not emotionally invested in it. Conspiracy theories are also false beliefs, by definition. But people who believe in them have a vested interest in maintaining them.

About this Course

This course is for anyone interested in conspiracy theories.

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UC Santa Cruz is an outstanding public research university with a deep commitment to undergraduate education. It’s a place that connects people and programs in unexpected ways while providing unparalleled opportunities for students to learn through hands-on experience.

Richard Hofstadter and the "Paranoid Style"

This module focuses on American historian Richard Hofstadter's book "The Paranoid Style in American Politics."

Protocols of the Elders of Zion

This module covers the antisemitic conspiracy theories that grew from the fabricated text "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion."

World War I

This module focuses on conspiracy theories invented to explain Word War I.

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You can share your Course Certificates in the Certifications section of your LinkedIn profile, on printed resumes, CVs, or other documents.

Is a 4-year college a 5-year college?

For this point in particular, my experience is that the 4-year program becomes a 5-year program.

Is college a major?

College is a major endeavor. People should know what they are in for before undertaking any large endeavor.

Did we learn how to write lab reports in college?

EDIT 2: The kicker was we never learned how to write lab reports in either college writing class.

What is the point of going to college?

I feel the way most people seem to be answering this question. The whole point of going to college is to get a college education, not merely to graduate from a four-year technical school, no disrespect meant to technical schools. They certainly fill a valuable service, no doubt about that.

How to avoid wasting time in college?

Since wasting time is pretty much the cardinal sin of college, do all you can to avoid it. Talk to the professor about ways to gain a higher mastery than is required for an A . They may suggest additional readings or a discussion group, or an independent project. You can tutor others in the class, and so develop your communication and leadership skills. The school may also allow you to replace basic courses with advanced ones, like Shakespeare or Hemingway instead of Introduction to Humanities. Ask your advisor about such options.

What are the Gen Ed courses?

Gen ed courses are typically things like writing, English, math, science, and social science, maybe other humanities courses, and typically make up something like one-third of a typical bachelor’s program.

What is college education?

A college is about educating students not training them (only) for a specific skill.

What is the study of history?

As it turns out, those literature classes you had to take sometimes come in handy later in life as well. The study of history give a perspective that you will use to interpret the news and decide where you stand. The study of psycholo. Continue Reading.

Is general education a scam?

It would be more of a scam if we didn’t ask you to take these general education classes. The classes give you an opportunity to get a broad exposure to a variety of subject areas as well as the chance to acquire important skills and habits that can help you become a successful lifelong learner as well as a successful professional in your field and a successful employee some day. Of course you have to be engaged and have the right attitude in order to benefit from these classes, but if you do that, you will gain many worthwhile things. If you are worried that these classes are a waste of time and are concerned only about a job, I would encourage you to check some of the lists that have been compiled of things that employers look for. Most of them are things you practice in general education classes. I’ll give one example. The ability to communicate through speaking is often the top skill on many of these lists. You may or may not get a lot of chance to develop and practice that skill in your major, but you will for sure if you take public speaking!

Is college a scam?

Not a scam. The goal of colleges and university is not limited to preparing students for a career, no matter how lofty that career may be. It’s also to create the educated citizen, meaning a person with well-rounded knowledge in all the basic fields, capable of being a wise participant in this democracy, to choose wise leaders and advocate or support wise policy. As it turns out, those literature classes you had to take sometimes come in handy later in life as well. The study of history give a perspective that you will use to interpret the news and decide where you stand. The study of psychology helps any person understand themselves and others better, a lifelong useful skill.

What are some conspiracy theories about space?

Space-related conspiracy theories are covered, including those relat ing to the Moon landings, UFOs and extra-terrestrials. We’ll also explore political conspiracy theories, such as the Deep State and 9/11, and the numerous death conspiracies including those surrounding the deaths of Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy, John Lennon and Bob Marley, to name a few.

How long have conspiracy theories been around?

Conspiracy theories have been around forever. However, in recent times, they have become more and more prevalent. This course guides those who are interested in how they came to be and why they are believable and explores some of the most well-known conspiracy theories and how they materialised.

How much time do I have to complete my course?

There is no time limit for completing your course it can be studied in your own time at your own pace.

How do I start my course?

Once purchased your course is located in your Learning Centre on our website. Please log in using the same email address that you used when you purchased your course.

What is spiritual course?

Spiritual courses are a great resource and provide an excellent foundation for moving forward on your spiritual journey.

Is the conspiracy theory true?

Whilst many conspiracy theories have remained as theories, there are those that have turned out to be true, including the false flag theories and conspiracies relating to Hollywood, the military, the government, and secret medical experimentation practices, such as MKUltra and the FBI’s counterintelligence program, COINTELPRO. The course concludes with an exploration of these examples of events that were once dismissed as conspiracy theories.

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