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Conspiracy theories are no longer fringe. From QAnon to wellness conspiracism, Epstein to 9/11, they shape elections, public health, and everyday life. This unit interrogates the history, culture, and politics of conspiracy theories in the United States from colonial-era plots to the digital age, examining the Illuminati, Cold War paranoia, the Kennedy assassination, Satanic Panics, UFOs, anti-vax culture, and the role of digital media in spreading conspiracy theories worldwide. The unit analyses conspiracy theories as cultural texts that reveal anxieties about power, identity, and democracy, and evaluates their impact on contemporary politics and society.
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | United States Studies Centre |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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12 credit points at 1000 level in American Studies |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
The learning outcomes for this unit will be available two weeks before the first day of teaching.
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| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2027
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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