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Learn to navigate our bullshit-rich modern environment by identifying bullshit, seeing through it, and combating it with effective analysis and argument.
The world is awash in bullshit. Politicians are unconstrained by facts. Science is conducted by press release. Higher education rewards bullshit over analytic thought. Startup culture elevates bullshit to high art.
Along with the ominipresence of media and connectivity, students not only require essential skills for navigating and scrutinizing today’s data-rich landscape of modern society, they are also susceptible to mis- and disinformation in social media. Seeking to empower students, this project proposes the development and implementation of a course at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) and the University of Bern (UB), aimed at enhancing data and media literacy skills among students, such as spotting statistical traps, the confusion of causation and correlation, the exploitation of human biases and fake news.
Ultimately, this project seeks to foster a culture of critical thinking and informed decision-making among students. By equipping them with the skills to discern and challenge deceptive data practices, we aim to contribute to a more informed and skeptical public, better prepared to navigate the complexities of the modern information landscape. Through these objectives, we aspire to make a lasting impact on data literacy education and empower students to become vigilant and discerning consumers of information.
By building on the principles outlined in «Calling Bullshit: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World» by Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin West (2020) a solid basis is already established and initial course material can be obtained. In addition Alex Edmans’book “May Contain lies: How Stories, Statistics, and Studies exploit our Biases” (2024) will serve as a second source and mandatory reading for the students. To cover the more philosophical part, Philipp Hübl’s book «Bullshit Resistenz» will also be part of the mandatory literature.
For the course we will adapt existing materials to the Swiss context, incorporating locally relevant case studies and examples. Through a quantitative assessment conducted across both institutions and different study programs, the research team will evaluate the effectiveness of the course in improving students› ability to critically analyze and interpret data and information.
The course will be first implemented at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), then potentially at the University of Bern (UB) in the “Digital Transformation and Applied Data Science”-Minor programme, and possibly at partnering institutions, broadening its reach and impact. After the initial deployment, the course materials will be made available as an Open Educational Resource as well.
Due to the scaleable character of this project and the proposed content creation, we will be able to apply it to several other institutions and partners. Especially the format of an Open Educational Resource through the Virtual Academy seems promising. Depending on our resources and follow up support, different educational programs and products could be developed and rolled out, ranging from internal training programs, to company tailored versions that can be offered. Ultimately, this initiative will empower students and practitioneers to navigate the complexities of data and misinformation, promoting a more informed and resilient society.
