Social Science Question

The role of science in our larger political, cultural, and civil society is currently being questioned in real life, and part of the reason why is that it takes more work and expertise to evaluate information than many of us are aware of. For this assignment, you will write a short (500-750 word) evaluation of a popular source that makes a scientific factual claim by analyzing how the source presents its message, and you will submit a short assignment Cover Letter that explains your process of completing the assignment. In addition to your short evaluation, compose a short cover letter that includes short answers to the following questions. This is designed to help you reflect on your experience doing this assignment and to communicate with me. Please provide a heading that says “Cover Letter,” and put your letter first when submitting your assignment. Address all of the following questions for full credit for this portion of the assignment. Please turn in your Cover Letter and evaluation as a single document into this portal on Canvas. This assignment is due on Canvas by midnight on Wednesday Sept 22. The 48-hour no-permission-needed extension is in effect for this assignment. If you need time beyond that, please be in touch to ask for an extension. A full rubric for evaluation will be posted in the module for this assignment on Canvas. You will be evaluated on: Select a source making a factual claim. We will discuss and brainstorm some potential sources in class on Wednesday September 8. You have options for finding such a fact, such as:
A claim made in an advertisement, brochure, label, or website for a product or service
A news piece or social media post
A “factoid” or piece of advice someone shared with you personally A claim made in an advertisement, brochure, label, or website for a product or service A news piece or social media post A “factoid” or piece of advice someone shared with you personally Make sure that the claim you’ve chosen to investigate is being presented as if it were objectively true with no room for subjective interpretation. For example, a cafeteria poster reading “Eat 6-8 servings of veggies a day for a balanced diet” would work as a source, because it makes a claim about specific causes and effects that appeals to objectivity. But one that reads “Eat healthy every day” would not work, because it does not clearly define what “healthy” means, leaving that up to subjective interpretation. In your essay, examine how your source communicates the factual claim:
Identify what kind of text/source it is
Explain how the source uses particular words, images, or formatting to convince you of the claim it makes Identify what kind of text/source it is Explain how the source uses particular words, images, or formatting to convince you of the claim it makes In your essay, examine the reliability of the source:
Does this source present the perspective of an “expert”? What authority is being used to convince you of this claim? How does the source try to convince you to believe the claim? Does this source present the perspective of an “expert”? What authority is being used to convince you of this claim? How does the source try to convince you to believe the claim? In your essay, consider how the details you identified above affect the overall reliability of the source. How likely are you to trust this source, based on these details? Please type your short evaluation in a document (like Microsoft Word or Google Docs), make sure it is double-spaced, and include your name at the top of the document. If you opt to use Google Docs, you may have some issues submitting your work to Canvas — I’ll let you know if its wonky and let you resubmit. Where does your knowledge about science, at this moment in your life, come from (for example: family culture, education, friends and peer networks, social media, college classes, work)? There are many more possibilities and no wrong answers here. Do you think you had enough knowledge to confidently evaluate your source, or did you feel like you needed more skills or knowledge? If you had had more time for this assignment, what you would have done with it? Is there anything else you would like me to know? You should NOT include any outside research for this assignment. Just focus on evaluating the one popular source that is making the claim. You do NOT need to reference any course materials for this assignment. Take stock of what you already know about science Identify scientific claims in popular sources Evaluate the reliability of popular sources making scientific claims Understand that science is embedded in larger cultural discourses that directly impact your education and career Demonstrate your ability to meet Part 1.1, Part 1.3, and Part 1.4 of the Course Learning Objectives Your focus throughout the evaluation on specific details of your chosen source and your direct connection of those details to your evaluation of the source’s reliability Whether you have chosen a source making a factual claim that appeals to objectivity Your ability to stay within the assigned length Your ability to write cleanly and without many typos and spelling errors (enlist your study pals and friends to help catch stuff!) Your inclusion of a complete Cover Letter Turning in your assignment in an agreed-upon time Take stock of what you already know about science
Identify scientific claims in popular sources
Evaluate the reliability of popular sources making scientific claims
Understand that science is embedded in larger cultural discourses that directly impact your education and career
Demonstrate your ability to meet Part 1.1, Part 1.3, and Part 1.4 of the Course Learning Objectives