COMM 4 Gentile

Conspiracy Theories

• What is behind this conspiracy theory?
• What fears and anxieties does this conspiracy theory speak to?
• What social and cultural work does this conspiracy theory do?
• Discuss this example in your groups:  Corona Virus Conspiracy Theories.  Note:  you will need your Canvas login to see some of these articles.
  1. Cell towers hit amid 5G, virus conspiracy theory
  2. Was a 5G tower torn down in China to stop Covid-19
  3. No, corona virus is not a "false event" or linked to 5G cell towers

Algorithms & Conspiracy Theories

Information Literacy in the Age of Algorithms (pgs. 3-8)

• How do algorithms filter the news we see about the world?
• What are the social and political ramifications of algorithms and how they influence our understanding of current events?
• How do algorithms encourage the spread of conspiracy theories?

Identify a Conspiracy Theory to Investigate

• Conspiracy Theories Podcast
• Consider the questions:
  • What is behind this conspiracy theory?
  • What fears and anxieties does this conspiracy theory speak to?
  • What social and cultural work does this conspiracy theory do?

Company Reports

• Search for a product area in Business Source Premier
• Search for company reports and marketline reports on a particular company
• Identify keywords & NAICS codes relevant to the product area

Newspapers

• Use your keywords to search for a product area  and specific products in ProQuest National Newspapers

Search Everything

• Use you keywords and NAICS codes to search for additional information in OneSearch

Wikipedia

Search for your company and product. Identify background information & keywords (e.g. beewax wrap, reusable bags, single-use plastic, environment). 

Regulating Agencies

Use the keywords you have identified to look for information on these government websites​:

• Science.gov 
• USGS.gov 
• SaferProducts.gov 
• FoodSafety.gov 

Gather information on your person and their contributions to society

• Gale Biography
• Google Scholar & WorldCat
• OneSearch: Books & Articles