Engaging in Intentional Communication in A Political Science Class (2024)

DSJ communication learning objective: Engage in intentional communication with awareness of intent and impact. Explain different types of knowledge and how knowledge construction maintains power, privilege, and inequity.

This is an in-class group activity which contributes to the participation category in my class taught in the Media and Politics unit, so I was hopeful this assignment might be helpful to anyone engaging with media literacy in their courses. The assignment is designed to increase media literacy and understand the intent and motivation for media outlets in the United States to curate the way and types of information presented to their audiences.

Learning Outcomes:

• Engage with media polarization and understand the political motivations underpinning the window of polarization.
• Identify credible news media sources and warning signs of non-credible stories.
• Investigate how intent in creating misinformation aligns with ideological stance of a media corporation.
• Explain how knowledge construction maintains power and undermines those disenfranchised by political structures.

Instructions: Part 1

First, complete this quiz. on fake news headlines from Deakin University. Then, complete this quiz. from the University of British Columbia.

Then, in groups, answer the following:

1. How did you do? Was it easier for you to spot some fake headlines or news stories in some areas than others?

2. Why would a media source create “fake news”?

3. What political motiviations might a media company have for creating unreliable news articles?

Instructions: Part 2

Then, watch this video from the University of British Columbia on why fake news occurs and how to spot it. Finally, answer the following in groups:

1. If you’re unsure whether or not a news article is real, which actions would you take to verify its authenticity?

2. You’re browsing your newsfeed and find that your friend has shared an article that may be fake. What do you do?

3. A few media organizations are reporting on a leaked document that claims President Biden will personally eat the presidentially pardoned turkeys this Thanksgiving. How likely is this? Who is the most likely source of a rumor unfavorable to Biden? (Which news media outlets would be most likely to report misinformation on a Democrat vs. Republican president? Why do you think some outlets would be more likely to choose to produce this knowledge for one side or the other?)

4. You may have heard the terms “misinformation” and “disinformation” in relation to fact checking. What’s the difference?