Disinformation and Security

Education facts

Code: SVAP12

Disinformation has increasingly come to be perceived as a serious security threat by Western democracies. Various measures have been taken to protect against disinformation campaigns. As part of this development, Sweden has attempted to strengthen its psychological defense, just like during the Cold War. The course places particular emphasis on influence campaigns by foreign actors, in the context of shifting geopolitical dynamics both in Sweden's immediate vicinity and globally. It also highlights domestic political developments in an era of polarisation, and what these may mean for the effects of such campaigns as well as the challenges involved in combating disinformation. The aim of the course is to enable students to assess both the research on disinformation and the security strategies devised to counter it critically. The course is structured in weekly modules including a thematic introduction, in-depth reading, written assignments, and interactive components. Both formative and summative assessments are part of the course design.

Entry requirements

At least 90 ECTS credits, with at least 30 ECTS credits at the G2F level or higher, in Political Science or related main fields of study like Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Media and Communication Studies, History, Social Science, and Human Geography, including a degree project of at least 15 ECTS credits at the G2E level, and upper secondary level Swedish 3 and English 6/A, or equivalent

Education offerings

Each offering has its own dates and conditions. Closed offerings are retained as history and do not mean that a new application is open.

• Disinformation and Security

  Karlstad University

  Ortsoberoende

  Start date: 9 November 2026

  End date: 17 January 2027

  Pace of study: 100 %