Syllabus - Sociology of Conspiracy Theories
Advanced seminar, summer term 2023
Seminar ID: 30228
Module: M8 / M5
Contact: philipp.wunderlich@fu-berlin.de
Time: Thursdays, 14:00 - 16:00
Room: Garystr.55/301
Blackboard: POLSOZ_V_30228_23S
Course Description
Conspiracy theories are ubiquitous and have recently gained attention in new-right political campaigns, social media networks and in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, sociology has its difficulties in defining and coming to terms with the phenomenon. This may in part be the case, because social theory and conspiracy theories both attempt to explain social phenomena and it can be hard to draw a demarcation line between the two (Nefes and Romero-Reche 2020). Also, the term itself is normatively charged and can be used strategically to discredit particular groups or actors. Last, knowledge of about the truth value of conspiracy theories is sometimes hard to come by. They often form hermetic imaginaries and belief systems that are hard to challenge and some of their claims may very well be factual.
In this course, we will draw on literature and analyses from a variety of disciplines in order to build a sociological understanding of conspiracy theories. This includes accounts from sociology of knowledge, sociology of emotions, social psychology, political sciences, media and communications studies and social theory, among others. The course goals are to 1.) arrive at a preliminary definition of conspiracy theories, 2.) understand micro- and macro-level conditions and mechanisms contributing to their emergence and dissemination through social networks and media channels 3.) gather field-specific knowledge on empirical cases, 4.) discuss practical approaches to decrease negative outcomes like societal polarization and extremism and 5.) critically discuss how conspiracy theories are socially constructed as a form of deviant knowledge and to which degree they may in some cases even increase agency and contribute to social change.
Requirements
Regular participation credit
- Attend all class meetings.
Active participation credit
Read the mandatory readings.
Active participation in class discussions.
Complete the weekly reading responses in time.
Complete the writing tasks.
Grade (Seminar paper / oral exam)
Regular participation
Seminar sessions
Seminar sessions are hold weekly and in presence on campus. It is mandatory to attend the sessions.
Importantly, make sure to read the mandatory readings before class and take notes on the reading. Readings are part of your regular participation requirements and are necessary to complete the active participation tasks.
Active participation
Reading responses
After completing the mandatory readings, you need to submit a reading response on blackboard until Tuesday (end of day) before class.
Usually, you are asked to answer 2-4 brief questions on the reading.
Writing tasks
One theory essay of min. 750 words is to be submitted mid-term
Students who don’t need a module exam (i.e. Module 8 students who opt against an exam) need to submit a second essay of 750-1500 words two weeks after the last class.
Students who need to complete a module exam (graded or ungraded) have to submit a seminar paper proposal/draft (750-1500 words) two weeks after the last class session and have to hand in their seminar paper of 3.000 words at the end of the semester.
| Module 5 | Module 8 (ungraded) | Module 8 (graded) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| mid-term | theory essay (750 words) | theory essay (750 words) | theory essay (750 words) |
| after last session | seminar paper draft (750-1.500 words) | second essay (750-1.500 words) | seminar paper draft (750-1.500 words) |
| end of semester | seminar paper (3.000 words) OR oral exam | - | seminar paper (3.000 words) |
Seminar paper
You need to submit a term paper (Pass/Fail) in one of your two M8 Area of Specialization seminars, or a graded term paper if you take the seminar in Module 5.
For this seminar, term papers need to be uploaded as a Blackboard assignment (PDF-format and MS Word / Open Office) by March 30, 2023. Papers need to comprise at least 3.000 words, excluding tables, bibliography and title page.
We will go into more detail on how to structure a seminar paper and which aspects are relevant for your grade in the last session of the course.
Missing classes or assignments
As per FU regulation you may miss up to 2 seminar sessions without a doctor’s note. Missing more than 2 classes, will result in failing the regular participation requirement unless a doctor’s note in presented.
Active participation credit will not be granted if you miss more than 2 reading response deadlines.
Academic integrity
This course is based on the principles of academic integrity established by Freie Universität Berlin. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. All documents submitted must be your own work and sources must be properly cited.
Session plan
Mandatory readings are marked with a star \((\star)\).
Many of the course readings are chapters taken from the following handbook:
Butter, M., & Knight, P. (Eds.). (2020). Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429452734
Overview
General approaches (4 weeks)
Weekly reading responses
Develop research questions!
Writing task (1 week)
Studies & applications (5 weeks)
Weekly reading responses
Write first drafts!
Paper drafts (2 weeks)
Introduction
1) Introduction (2023-04-20)
Introduction to the topic.
Syllabus
Requirements
Approaches to researching conspiracy theories
- In the following four sessions, basic theoretical or empirical approaches to studying conspiracy theories will be revisited.
- Read the mandatory readings and submit reading responses
2) Traditional accounts (2023-04-27)
\((\star)\) Hofstadter, R. (1996). The paranoid style in American politics, and other essays (1st Harvard University Press pbk. ed). Harvard University Press. https://faculty.washington.edu/jwilker/353/Hofstadter.pdf
3) Micro-level: Psychological motives (2023-05-04)
\((\star)\) Douglas, K. M., Cichocka, A., & Sutton, R. M. (2020). Motivations, Emotions and Belief in Conspiracy Theories. In Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories. Routledge.
4) Macro-level: Structural predictors (2023-05-11)
\((\star)\) Smallpage, S. M., Drochon, H., Uscinski, J. E., & Klofstad, C. (2020). Who are the Conspiracy Theorists?: Demographics and conspiracy theories. In Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories. Routledge.
5) Cultural perspectives: Identification and labeling (2023-05-25)
\((\star)\) Husting, G., & Orr, M. (2007). Dangerous Machinery: “Conspiracy Theorist” as a Transpersonal Strategy of Exclusion. Symbolic Interaction, 30(2), 127–150. https://doi.org/10.1525/si.2007.30.2.127
Harambam, J., & Aupers, S. (2017). ‘I Am Not a Conspiracy Theorist’: Relational Identifications in the Dutch Conspiracy Milieu. Cultural Sociology, 11(1), 113–129. https://doi.org/10.1177/1749975516661959
Post 750 words essay to discussion forum!
The theory essay should address on of the essay questions
Collaborative writing practice
6) Feedback & writing practice (2023-06-01)
In groups of 3-4:
Read each other’s essays (before class).
Provide structured feedback to each other.
You have two weeks to incorporate the feedback and upload finalized essays to the discussion forum.
Studies and applications
In the following 5 sessions, we will cover specific empirical cases and theoretical aspects.
One goal of this block of sessions is to collect ideas for final seminar papers / essays.
7) COVID-19 / Mass media and misinformation (2023-06-08)
COVID-19, public health and compliance:
\((\star)\) Imhoff, R., & Lamberty, P. (2020). A Bioweapon or a Hoax? The Link Between Distinct Conspiracy Beliefs About the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak and Pandemic Behavior. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 11, 1110–1118. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550620934692
Peitz, L., Lalot, F., Douglas, K. M., Sutton, R., & Abrams, D. (2021). COVID-19 conspiracy theories and compliance with governmental restrictions: The mediating roles of anger, anxiety, and hope. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 15, 18344909211046650. https://doi.org/10.1177/18344909211046646
Mass media and online misinformation:
\((\star)\) Bronner, G. (2015). Why are conspiracy theories doing so well? The case of Charlie Hebdo. Diogenes, 62, 8–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/0392192120924532
Rooke, M. (2021). Alternative media framing of COVID-19 risks. Current Sociology, 69(4), 584–602. https://doi.org/10.1177/00113921211006115
8) Alt-right conspiracy theories / Populism (2023-06-15)
The alt-right and QAnon:
\((\star)\) Bleakley, P. (2021). Panic, pizza and mainstreaming the alt-right: A social media analysis of Pizzagate and the rise of the QAnon conspiracy. Current Sociology, 00113921211034896. https://doi.org/10.1177/00113921211034896
DiMaggio, A. R. (2022). Conspiracy Theories and the Manufacture of Dissent: QAnon, the ‘Big Lie’, Covid-19, and the Rise of Rightwing Propaganda. Critical Sociology, 48(6), 1025–1048. https://doi.org/10.1177/08969205211073669
Political ideology and populism:
\((\star)\) Bergmann, E., & Butter, M. (2020). Conspiracy theory and populism. In M. Butter & P. Knight (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories (pp. 292–303). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429452734
van der Linden, S., Panagopoulos, C., Azevedo, F., & Jost, J. T. (2021). The Paranoid Style in American Politics Revisited: An Ideological Asymmetry in Conspiratorial Thinking. Political Psychology, 42(1), 23–51. https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.12681
Submit revised 750 words essay
10) Gender and Sexuality / Antisemitism (2023-06-29)
Gender and sexuality:
\((\star)\) Goetz, J. (2021). ‘The Great Replacement’ – Reproduction and population policies of the far right, taking the Identitarians as an example. 16.
Thiem, A. (2020). Conspiracy theories and gender and sexuality. In M. Butter & P. Knight (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories (pp. 292–303). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429452734
Antisemitism:
\((\star)\) Simonsen, K. B. (2020). Antisemitism and Conspiracism. In M. Butter & P. Knight (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories (pp. 357–370). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429452734
Allington, D., & Joshi, T. (2020). “What Others Dare Not Say”: An Antisemitic Conspiracy Fantasy and Its YouTube Audience. Journal of Contemporary Antisemitism, 3(1), 35–54. https://doi.org/10.26613/jca/3.1.42
11) Modernity and Counter-knowledge (2023-07-06)
Modernity and post-truth:
\((\star)\) Aupers, S. (2012). ‘Trust no one’: Modernization, paranoia and conspiracy culture. European Journal of Communication, 27(1), 22–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267323111433566
Lewandowsky, S., Ecker, U. K. H., & Cook, J. (2017). Beyond misinformation: Understanding and coping with the “post-truth” era. Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, 6(4), 353–369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmac.2017.07.008
Counter knowledge:
- \((\star)\) Gosa, T. L. (2011). Counterknowledge, racial paranoia, and the cultic milieu: Decoding hip hop conspiracy theory. Poetics, 39(3), 187–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poetic.2011.03.003
Brainstorm 2-3 research questions for your final paper / essay
Research questions and seminar papers / essays
In this last block of sessions, we will work individually and collectively towards your seminar papers or final essays.
12) Research questions (2023-07-13)
Students work in groups on their research questions. Then each groups briefly presents the research questions to the others for discussion.
Students can use the remaining time to work on abstracts.
@home work on abstract and introduction
Prepare abstracts until next session
13) Term paper writing session (2023-07-20)
Peer review of abstracts.
Time for questions.
Prepare seminar paper drafts / second essays
Additional Information
Blackboard
It is important to familiarize yourself with Blackboard (https://lms.fu-berlin.de), which is the central e-learning platform at FU. Here, you can find all relevant information, announcements, make submissions and contact your colleagues and myself.
Webex
You may also want to familiarize yourself with the video conference platform Webex, which is the main platform used by FU. You can use it for office hours and to coordinate group work.
VPN
You might also require to access other resources of Freie Universität that can only be accessed through its Virtual Private Server (VPN) when not on campus. This most importantly includes access to the course literature! Information on how to use this service can be found at https://www.zedat.fu-berlin.de/VPN.
Study Guide
The Study Guide contains important information on all aspects of your studies and particularly on the standards of scientific work that also apply to all submissions in this course.
Literature
You should be able to access all course readings in one of three ways:
Log in to eduroam or the VPN network and use the DOIs of the papers to find and download them.
Within eduroam or the VPN network you can use the PRIMO library catalog to access digital versions of the literature.
In rare cases in which books are not accessible online, I will provide PDF copies in due time.