Social and Political Sciences
Soc 239- Analyzing a news event:
In the last few years, we increasingly hear about news vs. fake news. What is news? What is
fake news? Depending on who you ask, a different news source (e.g., TV program, newspaper,
magazine, blog, etc.) would be defined as a producer of “real vs. fake news.” This group project
serves to help you gain better understanding of the divergent perspectives and “versions” of
truth that are publicized by comparing coverage of a single event across two different news
sources.
Analyze a current or recent news event that concerns the broad theme of child welfare. Any
news event within the last five years (2013-2018) can be considered recent. Events can fall
under any of the themes we have discussed, including education, immigrant and citizenship
status, housing, work, health care, child abuse, policing, social safety nets, foster care, and the
juvenile justice system.
In A four page paper on a topic of your choosing concerning an event that is about child welfare that has been
covered in the news media:
1) summarize the event and why you feel it is relevant to child welfare
2) Analyze how a left-wing media outlet covered the event
3) Analyze how a right-wing media outlet covered the event
4) Compare and contrast what sociological themes were emphasized in the two types of
coverage
