The course examines three closely interconnected challenges of contemporary political life: conspiracy theories, populism and (anti-)scientific discourse. In an environment of crisis of institutions, political representation and trust in knowledge, these phenomena function as interpretive schemes for understanding the world and at the same time as instruments of political mobilization and/or destabilization. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the course focuses on both the socio-psychological and political/communication dimensions of the phenomena. Students will examine theoretical frameworks, empirical examples and analytical tools to understand how these phenomena emerge, how they propagate and what implications they have for democracy and public discourse.