Over the past few weeks, we have read, listened to, and viewed materials that ha

Over the past few weeks, we have read, listened to, and viewed materials that have shown how flawed thinking and the spread of misinformation can create and propagate pseudoscientific beliefs, urban legends, or conspiracy theories. In your final research essay for this class, I want you to research one example of any of these phenomena and analyze its significance, cultural impact, and implications of its exsitence. As you develop your topic, please consider the following questions
What are the origins and history of this belief? What groups or demographics are or have been most susceptible to it?
What damage has this belief caused, both to individuals and groups? What dangers to our society does it pose?
How can the spread of this belief be mitigated or stopped? How can those who believe in it be convinced that it is untrue?
What does the existence of this belief say about the society or culture in which it gained prominence or popularity? Does it suggest any social, economic, or political, inequities? Any of these questions can inform your thesis!
After you develop a working thesis, you should engage in the following steps
1. Guided inquiry. Consider the following questions to inform your research:
What are the origins of this belief? What historical events or factors lead to its existence?
What are the entities, groups, or forces that have perpetuated or increased the popularity of this belief?
Who (or what) is most negatively impacted by this belief?
Who (or what) most benefits from the existence of this belief?
2. Research
Begin your research using the library databases; one of GRC′s librarians, Jody Segal, will review some strategies and best practices for doing this.
Choose the sources that will most strongly support the argument you have developed about this belief.
3. Submit Proposal and Annotated Bibliography:
You will be submitting to me a proposal with an annotated bibliography. This proposal will allow me to offer you some suggestions and feedback as well as make sure you are on track. We will review the procedure for proposals and annotated bibliographies soon. Due date for this TBA
4. Drafting:
Don′t procrastinate. Give yourself as much time as you can to draft; you will actually have a good three weeks to work on this, but the end of the quarter goes by quickly!
Conference with me and/or the Writing Center for feedback as you develop your argument on paper. (Not required, but recommended!) Peer-edit. I am hoping we have time for a formal peer-edit session. Even if we do not, I recommend doing so with Writing Center or independently!
Revise: Don′t skimp on this portion of the writing process. Work and modify your draft to make it as strong as it can be! 5. Submit final draft:
The final draft will be due at the beginning of finals week. Official due date TBA. MORE USEFUL TIPS
You should employ many of the writing strategies that we covered in class but you should pay particularly close attention to the research-writing strategies we have covered over the second half of the quarter. As always, make sure your essay has a clear and strong thesis (or claim): Examples: Bad thesis ″Believers that Barack Obama was not a U.S. citizen were brainwashed″ (Too broad — also a hasty generalization fallacy.) Good Thesis: ″The conspiracy theory that Barack Obama was not a US citizen was a grassroots ″dog whistle″ campaign of misinformation that exploited the racial tensions that existed in the United States around the time of the election of the first African-American president.″ Using the databases and techniques demonstrated to you in the library, as well as information gathered from other sources, support your thesis with reliable and substantial evidence. For more help consult me or a librarian. Use The Little Seagull or an applicable grammar reference book for any grammar trouble spots.
Requirements:
This paper should be a minimum of 1200 words.
You must use at least five reputable sources and have at least five unique in-text citations.
This paper and the bibliography must adhere to MLA formatting guidelinesLinks to an external site.. This paper must be submitted on time. Late papers will not be accepted — no exceptions!
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