Core 5: Extra Credit I

Due in class on the last class before break

Extra credit points will be added to your final percentage score in the class -- so if you earn 86% of the points possible in class and you also earn 2 extra credit points, your letter grade will be assigned as if you earned 88% of the points possible.

Because this is an extra credit project, I will expect you to follow these directions quite closely and meet the requirements fully (i.e. when I say 1-2 pages, I mean pages that don't use 18 point type, or 1.5 inch margins, etc.) If you do not complete the assignment fully, you certainly won't get the full amount of extra credit.

In this project you will use the Web itself to research some social impact of the Web and the Internet.

Part I

For up to two extra credit points:

Choose an issue that address some social impact of the Web/Internet. Below is a list of possible (broad) topics; if some other topic interests you, that's great -- but please check with me before you start working.
- privacy
- democracy
- distance learning (i.e. taking courses over the Web instead of in a classroom)
- "virtual community"
- equality of access
- intellectual property (i.e. copyrights and patents)
Using resources on the Web (you'll have to find them, of course), identify two contrasting positions within this topic and research the facts and opinions which support these positions. You should read information from at least 3-4 different sites on the Web in order to get a fairly good picture.
Write a 1-2 page report in which you

describe/define the topic you have chosen;
explain the two contrasting positions and how these positions are supported; and
identify your own position on the topic, based on your research and/or your own ideas and experiences.

Provide the titles, authors (if you can tell), and URLs for the web pages you used in your research.

Part II

Once you have completed your report, you may earn an additional extra credit point by analyzing the sources you used. Specifically,

Here are two articles which address the issue of determining whether a Web page is credible/authentic. Read them.

For each source you used, write a paragraph that analyzes its credibility using techniques you read about above.

Give evidence that demonstrates the page's credibility and/or give reasons you believe the page may not be trustworthy.
Make a summary determination on whether you should have cited this page in your report.