Assignments > HW1: The Internet and the News
Due on Wed, 09/04 @ 11:59PM. 20 Points.
For your first homework assignment, you will be analyzing a question / issue / controversy that has made the headlines recently that relates to the Internet.
1. Select Your Topic
You may take a look at some of the topics / controversies named in the sources below, or pick your own. There is a lot of interesting stuff on the election, censorship, tech business models, content moderation, anti-trust cases (e.g., the recent Google ruling):
2. Research It
Read / watch / listen to at least 3 sources that analyze the controversy. Make sure you read multiple perspectives on the topic. For instance, if you’re researching whether Google is a monopoly, make sure you understand the perspectives of Google, the department of justice, other search providers, Apple, and everyday users.
3. Answer the questions below
2.1. What did you read / watch?
List the articles / sources you consulted, including links and authors
2. Describe the controversy / issue raised in the articles / film (~1/2 page single spaced)
Describe the technology, the issue / controversy, and the context surrounding the issue / controversy. Make sure you answer the following questions:
- What is the technology being examined?
- What is the issue?
- Why is it an issue?
- Who are all of the people who are impacted by this issue (e.g., everyday people, businesses, advertisers, activists, etc.)?
- What are the different perspectives or “sides” (if there are sides) or the issue?
3. Analyze the controversy (~1/2 page single spaced)
What do you think about this controversy? Some questions you might consider:
- Who benefits most and who is most harmed?
- Can the controversy be resolved?
- Could it have been prevented or was it inevitable?
- Is it a sign of something bigger on the horizon?
Tell us what you think!
4. Three Slide Summary
Create a very short, 3-slide summary of your analysis using Google Slides, PowerPoint, etc., and be prepared to share your analysis to your classmates on Friday (9/6). Make sure you explain the issue / controversy so that someone else can understand it, and also describe your analysis and perspectives. Feel free to communicate these ideas any way that you want (text, images, etc.).
Rubric
Research (3 points)
- Consulted at least 4 articles / books / podcasts / videos
- Sources explore different perspectives on the issue
Description of the Controversy (4 points)
- Clearly describes the issue, stakeholders, and opposing views
- Evidence that the student spent time and effort trying to understand the problem and the facts
- No key facts missing
Analysis of the Controversy (6 points)
- Student puts themself and their own thinking into dialog with the issues
- Student thinks about the issue from multiple perspectives
Presentation (4 points)
- Guidelines followed; student presents their slides during class time
Writing (2 points)
- Writing is clear and concise
- No spelling or grammatical mistakes
- All sources are cited. Citations do not have to be formal APA citations, but you should give enough information (author, date, link, description of ChatGPT use) so that your reader knows precisely where the facts of your paper are coming from.
What to Submit
Upload both your paper and slides (if you submit Google links, make sure that you share with svanwart@unca.edu) to the Moodle by the deadline specified.