Truth in an Age of Disinformation



Overview

Questions about the nature of truth are often puzzling because, on the one hand, we expect to get a definitive answer of the kind, ‘truth is x’. On the other hand, despite hundreds of years of looking, no perfect answer has ever been found. Philosophers have committed to answers such as truth is ‘correspondence with the facts’, ‘system coherence’, ‘practical utility’, or simply ‘general consensus’.

Only, all such definitions turned out to be defective in one way or another. Should we make do with a deflated or minimalist notion of truth, or opt for truth pluralism or even outright relativism about truth? More relevantly, can we salvage truth in an era of technical innovation and global connectivity as it too easily becomes the breeding ground of disinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories? This course will shine a light on truth and post-truth by studying the philosophical angles already taken and any new avenues that offer themselves.  

This course combines online study with a weekly 1-hour live webinar led by your tutor. Find out more about how our short online courses are taught.

Programme details

This course begins on the 15 Apr 2026 which is when course materials are made available to students. Students should study these materials in advance of the first live meeting which will be held on 22 Apr 2026, 6:30-7:30pm (UK time).

Week 1: Truth and truthfulness 

Week 2: Truth as correspondence

Week 3: Truth as coherence

Week 4: Pragmatism about truth

Week 5: Relativism and scepticism

Week 6:Truth pluralism and deflationism

Week 7: Realism and anti-realism

Week 8: What is post-truth?

Week 9: Truth manipulation, conspiracies and 'alternative facts'

Week 10: Can truth be salvaged? 

Certification

Credit Application Transfer Scheme (CATS) points 

Coursework is an integral part of all online courses and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework. All those enrolled on an online course are registered for credit and will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.

See more information on CATS points

Digital credentials

All students who pass their final assignment will be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail. 

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £360.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Julia Weckend

Julia has taught philosophy at the Universities of Reading and Southampton before joining Oxford University's Department of Continuing Education as a tutor in 2014. Her teaching focus, very broadly, is on aspects in metaphysics and epistemology, including theories of truth and how we acquire and justify our beliefs.  

Course aims

  • To gain an understanding of the key themes in the study of truth and post-truth, and related problems and concerns. 
  • To become familiar with the central issues that preoccupy the theory of knowledge, belief acquisition and truth.
  • To examine and evaluate substantial theories of truth, as well as truth relativism and post-truth.
  • To read and discuss the relevant literature on truth and relativism.

Teaching methods

This course takes place over 10 weeks, with a weekly learning schedule and weekly live webinar held on Microsoft Teams. Shortly before a course commences, students are provided with access to an online virtual learning environment, which houses the course content, including video lectures, complemented by readings or other study materials. Any standard web browser can be used to access these materials, but we recommend Google Chrome. Working through these materials over the course of the week will prepare students for a weekly 1-hour live webinar you will share with your expert tutor and fellow students. All courses are structured to amount to 100 study hours, so that on average, you should set aside 10 hours a week for study. Although the course finishes after 10 weeks, all learning materials remain available to all students for 12 months after the course has finished.

All courses are led by an expert tutor. Tutors guide students through the course materials as part of the live interactions during the weekly webinars. Tutors will also provide individualised feedback on your assignments. All online courses are taught in small student cohorts so that you and your peers will form a mutually supportive and vibrant learning community for the duration of the course. You will learn from your fellow students as well as from your tutor, and they will learn from you.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • to be able to understand and describe the main philosophical issues concerning truth and relativism;
  • to articulate the main distinctions and ideas that these issues trade upon;
  • to develop a position of your own and constructively evaluate the positions that have been explored.

Assessment methods

You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.

 

Application

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

 

Level and demands

No prior knowledge or previous experience in philosophy are required or assumed, though it will enable students to engage more fully in class discussions. The course will appeal in particular to those who enjoy wrestling with problems in analytical philosophy.

 

This course is offered at FHEQ Level 4 (i.e. first year undergraduate level), and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments and for the weekly webinar. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours, including those spent in live webinars.

English Language Requirements

We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements please follow this link: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/english-language-requirements

 

IT requirements

Any standard web browser can be used to access course materials on our virtual learning environment, but we recommend Google Chrome. We also recommend that students join the live webinars on Microsoft Teams using a laptop or desktop computer rather than a phone or tablet due to the limited functionality of the app on these devices.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support