Issues, the Media, Idea Analysis

What are Issues? Important subjects or problems Open to discussion and debate. Usually involve: -complex causes -interrelated environmental, social, political, and economic components -groups of people with different views -groups of people who are involved in disputes because they cannot resolve their different points of view

What are issues? -groups of people who are involved in disputes because they cannot resolve their different points of view -people unwilling to compromise -complex, often imperfect, solutions -local, national, and/or global implications

What are issues? As BROADLY as possible, come up with some things that face us as world issues. Write them on the board.

1. Identify the issue. What is it about? Ask questions that differentiate it from others.

2. What do you currently know about the issue? What are all the aspects of this issue? Brainstorm/ use a mindmap to lay out what you know.

3. Define the scope of the issue. Is this issue local, national, or global? Are there connections between the three? Are the causes of this issue local, national, or global?

3. Define the scope of the issue. How does this issue impact Earth, people, or animals and plants? During what time period was this an issue of concern? What individuals or groups are involved and why? What are the effects and implications of this issue?

4. Organize the information. What are the environmental, cultural, political, and economic aspects of the issue?

5. Conduct more intensive research to add to your knowledge of the categories. What information is missing from my current knowledge? What sources do I need to consult to fill in missing information? Should I conduct my own primary research?

6. Organize new information in the previously established headings. What format suits my needs the most?

7. Analyze the information you have collected. Am I considering all points of view? Am I leaving my questions unanswered? Have I separated fact from opinion? Are there viewpoints I have not considered? Have I challenged commonly held assumptions?

7. Analyze the information you have collected. What relationships exist between people and environments? Do I understand the environmental, social, political, and economic contexts of the issue? Have I used the best sources? Do I have the information I need to come to a conclusion?

8. Draw a conclusion. What conclusions can I reach about this issue, based on my analysis and evaluation?

Oil Prices/production

War in Iraq/Syria

Poverty in Somalia

Nuclear power/Risks of radiation

Climate Change

Russian aggression in Ukraine

Privacy, security, etc

Israel-Palestine Conflict

Media sources and Bias What is the purpose of the information? Does it inform, persuade, entertain, influence, or deflect criticism? How was the information collected? -Polls, phone survey, academic research, controlled experiments? What is the form of the information? -TV, newspaper, online news site, blog.

Media sources and Bias What organization published the document? Does this organization have a particular point of view or agenda that might bias the information? Who are the authors of the information? What positions do they hold in the organization they work for? Do they have reputable credentials? Do they have a vested interest in the position they hold?

Media sources and Bias What is the date or time frame of the information? What types of data are used to support the point of view? -Statistics, arguments, facts, opinions, poll results Did the authors rely on documented materials to support their arguments?

Media sources and Bias Did the authors rely on documented materials to support their arguments? Was information on some aspect of the issue left out? If so, what was left out and why? Does the information match information from other reliable sources?

Media Sources in the United States

Media Mainstream media sources Alternative media sources