Course Contents
Phenomena such as deliberate and strategic disinformation and hate speech are key tools for disrupting and influencing information flows to manipulate individuals and entire societies (“information operations”). Computer science can make a significant contribution to combating and analyzing these phenomena, e.g., through automatic detection methods, network analyses, or user-centered interventions such as warnings or corrections. At the same time, new developments in computer science are making disinformation increasingly credible and difficult to detect (e.g., AI-generated or immersive (XR) content).
In this seminar, based on a thematic introduction and lectures on methodology, advanced topics are assigned that are oriented toward existing research and are developed by students using scientific methods. Through the simulation of a scientific conference, scientific papers are submitted, constructively reviewed by other students (“peer review”), revised, and presented at our student conference before being submitted as final assignments.
EXAMPLE TOPICS:
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[*]Potential for deception and misdirection in XR
[*]Opportunities for XR to combat disinformation
[*]Disinformation and hate speech in gaming environments
[*]Actors and collaboration in information operations
[*]Disinformation, hate speech, and polarization in political social media discourse
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PROCEDURE:
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[*]Technical introduction with presentation and assignment of topics
[*]Submission of an exposé
[*]Methodology lecture: “How do I write a good paper?”
[*]Submission of a first complete paper
[*]Methodology lecture: “How do I evaluate and present a paper?”
[*]Evaluation as part of a student peer review
[*]Presentation of the paper at a student conference
[*]Submission of the final paper
[*]Recording of the grades
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Preconditions
Recommended are basic knowledge in at least one of the following areas: computer science, IT security, human-computer interaction, or peace and conflict studies, as well as basic knowledge in the subject areas of the PEASEC department.
- Lecturer: Katrin Hartwig