Wikipedia—I Love You
Instructor: Kenneth Verosub, Department of Geology, College of Letters and Science
Description: For many people, Wikipedia is now the source of choice for basic factual information. But how reliable can that source be when the information can be changed at any time by anyone on the planet? In this course we will explore the Wikipedia phenomenon by actively participating in it. First we will seek to determine the accuracy of existing Wikipedia entries about which we have personal knowledge. We will also compare the information in Wikipedia with supposedly reliable articles in encyclopedias. Then after registering as Wikipedia contributors, we will create new Wikipedia entries and track how quickly and in what ways they evolve. We will also examine some of the ways that Wikipedia deals with controversial topics and contentious contributors. Ultimately, we will try to come to a collective decision about whether we should love Wikipedia or hate it. The primary goal for student learning will be a better understanding of the importance of assessing the reliability of your sources of information. A secondary goal will be a deeper appreciation of the extent to which the web has transformed our lives. Both of these goals will help first-year students to understand the importance of looking critically and analytically at the world around them.
Format: The class will be taught as an informal discussion. At times the instructor will lead the discussion; at other times, the students will lead or will make more formal presentations. The only prerequisite for the seminar is a desire to learn more about the topic. Students will be expected to do library and web-based research on key topics and to work individually and in teams to analyze and synthesize their information. They will also be expected to make presentations of their findings and conclusions. Grading: Half of the grade will be based on the extent and quality of participation in the class discussions. The other half of the grade will be based on the quality of the oral presentations.
About the Instructor: Ken Verosub is a professor in the Geology Department and the former director of the Davis Honors Challenge. He is fascinated by the Wikipedia phenomena but is concerned by students who don’t know how to determine the credibility of information they find on the web.