Final paper: Fact-checking assignment (35 points):
Each student must find an article (or video) related to Race and ethnicity on Facebook/ Youtube/
Google search and fact check it against literature found through SocIndex database. The paper
must be 4 pages long, double-spaced and is worth 35 points. Students are encouraged to submit
the draft to me long before the project is due so that they can receive needed guidance on factchecking.
Here are the guidelines to fact check articles:
-Assess the credibility of the source, such as between History.com versus a random unknown
source: check if the source has been recently created. Sources that have been around for a while
can show reliability over time and be tested by hindsight, whereas recently created sources dont
carry much of a track record.
-Author’s expertise and background with the subject: Students should check if the author is
someone who has dedicated time and effort to learning this subject. For example, a university
professor typically has increased credibility versus a hobbyist.
-Make a list of claims from the article that you want to fact-check. Limit the number of claims to
three as the page limit of the assignment is four. Formulate keywords for each statement and
search using SocIndex database from SIU library. You will need to use at least three scholarly
sources and two web sources.
List compiled from the following sites:
https://www.vox.com/first-person/2017/3/29/15042692/fake-news-education-election>
https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/technology/fact-check-internet
