First Year Seminar 191CNS2 - FYS- Topics in CNS

First-year (R1ST) Course Title: Science in the Misinformation Age
Chances are, that at some point in your life, you have heard someone make a claim and been unsure how true it really is. In many aspects of life in the 21st century, it can be hard to tell which statements are supported with evidence and which may be misinformation. In this course, we ask: how can we determine if a scientific claim is trustworthy? We will learn how science is done, how it is funded, and how it is published. We will also learn how to find scientific resources and understand, evaluate, and communicate the information found in a scientific research article. We will start by reading a paper about vaccines as an example. Then you will get the chance to explore information and misinformation on a scientific topic of your choice, helping you develop a skillset (reading, comparing sources, and communicating your findings) that you will use throughout your college career and beyond. In parallel, this course will also aid in your transition to being a college student ? helping you assemble a toolkit to make new connections, understand the logistics of being on a college campus, and understand the academic and wellness resources that you can take advantage of throughout your time at UMass.