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Disinformation in America

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Full Course Title: 
Disinformation in America: The Attack on Our Democracy

Our country is at cross-roads of division not seen since the American Civil War. Although the crossroads today is The United States standing on the precipice of our democracy crumbling from within due to disinformation spread within many facets of our society. Many people accept what they read as the truth without using or having the critical skills to filter what is and is not true.

This class will be an interdisciplinary approach of studying disinformation through a combination of theory, text, and supplemental articles. This class lays the foundation of how disinformation is used and paints the landscape of the disinformation Americans are barraged with every day. This class is meant to develop and/or challenge one's critical thinking to identify disinformation, and how students can discern what is the truth. The course will also examine how we as an individual and a society can turn back the disinformation onslaught of America. 

Course Details
Prefix: 
UCO
Course Number: 
1200
Section Number(s) and Day/Times Taught: 
104: TR 11:00am- 12:15pm
114: TR 2:00pm- 3:15pm
Term: 
Fall 2025
Categories: 
Global Issues
Civic Engagement
Instructor(s)

Jeffrey Coats

Jeffrey H. Coats

Dr. Jeffrey H Coats is a native of the Gulf Coast. He began his interest in higher education as a profession at Auburn University. He credits the opportunities that were available to him and the mentorship on that campus for the person he is today.  Dr. Coats is a student advocate at heart and has dedicated his career to engaging students and fostering an environment of holistic learning. Dr. Coats has been a professor on the undergraduate and graduate level for the past 25 years having taught at First Year Seminar at Auburn University, Bowling Green University, and for the past 7 years at Appalachian State University.

He views his role as a professor and teacher to help students critically think for themselves. He loves teaching undergraduate students, particularly first-year students and loves the enthusiasm first-year and undergraduate students bring to campus. His passion is helping students grow and/or develop their critical thinking skills and grow holistically through an academic perspective.

Outside of the classroom, Dr. Coats is a researcher and often blends the curriculum in his classes with his published works. Dr. Coats always has one if not multiple research projects going on at the same time. He also loves to share his knowledge and life experiences with his students.

He is a consultant on a wide variety of leadership, governmental, and higher education topics. He is also a member of several national professional academic associations where he served on the National Association of Campus Activities Education Advisory Committee. Dr. Coats served as the Faculty/Chapter Advisor for a National Fraternity chapter at Auburn University for several years where he was awarded Chapter Advisor of the Year. He has also led numerous leadership retreats with students across the country.

In addition, to being a Professor, Dr. Coats has served as an Associate Provost and Dean of Students at multiple institutions, but his passion lies within the classroom.

Before entering a career in higher education, Dr. Coats worked for two different Governors (one Governor from each major party) in the state of Alabama Legislative and Youth Affairs Division. He also worked on Capitol Hill.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Dr. Rebecca Coats, and their dog, Beacon, hiking the beautiful Appalachians. Drs. Coats loves to travel, read, and spend time with their nephew and niece as often as possible.