As part of the studium generale in the winter semester 2025/26, the Directorate University Culture and Aktion Zivilcourage e. V. offer a block seminar on "How fake news and conspiracy narratives threaten democracy and what can be done about it".

Contents

Fake news and conspiracy narratives are unfortunately widespread in our society. Due to the current crises, they are gaining momentum and attention. The more people follow these narratives, the more threatened democratic coexistence becomes. But why do people believe them in the first place?
In the block seminar "How fake news and conspiracy narratives threaten democracy and what can be done about it" we look at the functioning and psychology of fake news and conspiracy narratives. We take a look at the dangers to democracy and develop and test skills for dealing with anti-democratic statements.

Topics

• The phenomenon of fake news – what are their characteristics and how do they work?
• Recognizing fake news – How can you reliably expose it?
• Options for action – What can be done to prevent the spread of fake news?
• How do conspiracy narratives work?
• What is dangerous about believing in conspiracies?
• Methods for dealing with conspiracy narratives in your own environment

Objectives

Participants in the block seminar recognize forms and characteristics of fake news and are sensitized to them. In addition, seminar participants are able to react appropriately when they come into contact with this phenomenon in the digital world. They acquire knowledge of disinformation/conspiracy myths with their characteristics, backgrounds, dangers and possible courses of action and learned skills such as critically reflective opinion-forming and self-reflection.

Language of the seminar 

German 

Dates

07.11.2025, 11:10 a.m. to 4:20 p.m.
14.11.2025, 11:10 a.m. to 4:20 p.m.
05.12.2025, 11:10 a.m. to 4:20 p.m.
12.12.2025, 11:10 a.m. to 4:20 p.m.

Lecturers

© Aktion Zivilcourage e. V.

Chris Branß, Aktion Zivilcourage e. V.
Franz Werner, Aktion Zivilcourage e. V.

The examination will be conducted by Dr. Cathleen Bochmann (Aktion Zivilcourage e. V.), who has a valid license as an examiner.

Prerequisites/prior knowledge

No special prior knowledge is required to participate in the seminar. The block seminar is open to all Departments.

Enrolment

Enrollment takes place via OPAL. Link follows.

Possible certificates of achievement

• Graded proof of performance on an examination, equivalent to 2-3 credits, depending on the type of examination
• ungraded certificate of achievement for an examination, equivalent to 2 credits
• Confirmation of participation, equivalent to 1 credit

The block seminar corresponds to 1 SWS.

© TUD

Project coordination university and society

Name

Monique Rust

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Directorate 9 – University Culture

Directorate 9 – University Culture

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