654F Fall 2026 Conspiracy Theories, Secret Societies, and Cults

Since this class was presented in 2016, we have seen an even greater rise in conspiracy theories and their influences on our society. In this class, we will examine the difference between conspiracy theories and outright lies and how the two can often meet to form a particular belief system. We will talk about conspiracy influencers of our time and why people buy into what they are selling. We will also discuss some past and recent secret societies and hate groups on the internet and the vast number of followers of these groups. Then we will delve into some cults in our society and further discuss why so many people join them. Class participants are encouraged to bring their tin hats and conspiracy theories to class since it will be impossible for the instructor to cover every conspiracy theory.

Lillian Brooks earned her Juris Doctor at Atlanta Law school in Atlanta, Georgia and attended Master’s level classes in Public Policy at George Mason University.   She began her legal career practicing criminal law before transitioning to family law in Georgia. In Virginia, Lillian was appointed director of Court Services for Alexandria Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. She managed probation and parole and family law matters and programs. She also served as a commissioner on the board of the Regional Detention Home and Shelter care facilities and has published several articles on juvenile justice reform. She is a former president of OLLI and currently serves as an adjunct professor at George Mason University.