General: Research a civic issue that is of concern to a specific community of non-experts in order to identify multiple perspectives from which this issue is viewed. Use this information to create a persuasive text that uses ethical persuasive strategies to advance social change or action. This project should be presented in a genre that would be commonly used to communicate with members of this community.Specific: The content of our civic issue research will concern the expansion of propaganda, disinformation and fake news in the 21st Century. We will investigate the history, mechanics, consequences and trajectory of disinformation disseminated as news. And we will analyze three central arguments that address the question of Whose job is it to mitigate propaganda, disinformation and fake news?For example: Is it the governments job to legislate protections against the impacts of fake news? Should social networking platforms themselves be required to police and mitigate fake news disseminated (or published) on their platforms? Or is it the readers and viewers, employing their critical digital literacy, who are responsible for mitigating the effects of fake news?We will compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of these arguments in analysis and join the conversation by forming our own arguments as to who is responsible for mitigating the consequences of fake news.***This assignment may earn up to 200 points. Final drafts must meet a minimum of seven-full pages in order to earn any points. Late work is subject to the policy outlined in the syllabus.Course Learning Outcomes 1. Analyze and evaluate complex print, digital, and multimodal texts that engage significant academic, professional, or civic issues. 2. Apply rhetorical principles appropriate to different purposes and goals, within specific disciplinary, professional and civic communities. 3. Research and contribute to specific areas of inquiry by evaluating, synthesizing, and integrating strategies and sources appropriate to genre.Required Components This assignment is broken down into four major components: a well-researched, context-driven introduction, three body paragraphs that each evaluate an outside argument, an analysis paragraph that applies rhetorical principles, and a conclusion that allows you to contribute to the on-going debate.A rough visual outline will look like this:The following are guidelines for each component:Introduction:1). Lead and Contextyour exampleOpen with a dramatic and consequential example of fake news and give the context into which this disinformation was delivered. 2). Definition –What is fake news? (According to . . . ) 3). Motives–Who makes it? Why? What are the motives? 4). Methods–How is it created and disseminated? How does it spread? Whats different now? 5). Consequences– What are some consequences (both in relation to your example and to society) 6). Your inquiry (based on the prompt), and how you will proceedmeta-discourseBody Paragraphs:1). Introduction: introduce author(s), introduce the article (or documentary), and state the claim2). Explain or give context to the claim3). Give quote to illustrate claim4). Explain or give context to quote5). State the evidence and strategies that support the claim6). Describe how the evidence and strategy work to support, or not, the claimAnalysis Paragraph: 1). Restate the purpose of your investigation and how you went about conducting it. 2). In a sentence or two each, restate the important parts of each authors claim. Add appropriate context. Consider linking these claims with rhetorical questions related to your investigation. 3). Compare and contrast your authors use of evidence and strategy. 4). Offer a critique where needed. Offer any new, outside information or insight you have learned. 5). Use this information to make a reasoned determination of whose responsibility it is to mitigate fake news (whether this is a practical solution, or not, can be reserved for your conclusion paragraph).Conclusion: In your Analysis paragraph, you determined who (the answer could be mixed) is responsible for mitigating fake news. Considering our social and political climate, forecast what challenges lay ahead, the outcomes of your (or your authors) solutions, and ultimately what will happen going forward.
