How to Understand the Illusion, Misinformation, and Deception in Our Daily Lives

On stage, magicians create a fantasy of impossibility that audiences are willing to believe to be real. Using real-world examples and demonstrations, this talk explains why we are prone to see what isn’t there, miss what is right before our eyes, remember seeing things that didn’t happen, and nevertheless make it through a day of living unscathed.

James Brockmole, Associate Dean for the Social Sciences,
Professor of Psychology, and Joseph and Elizabeth Robbie Collegiate Chair

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With 20 departments across the humanities, arts, and social sciences, the College of Arts and Letters is home to exceptional faculty and talented students who are studying what they love. It's an environment to ask big questions, read classic texts, and explore languages and cultures.

We're not just about learning through acquisition. We're about learning through exploration. Our undergraduate students travel the globe to research topics that fascinate them, then turn their observations into conclusions about the world.

Through the liberal arts, you learn to read deeply. Think about issues critically. Discuss topics thoughtfully. Write arguments persuasively. Contribute to projects creatively. And these abilities aren't just vital in the classroom—they're exactly what employers, graduate schools, and service organizations are looking for.