Wikipedia:Wiki Ed/UCBerkeley/Soc 127 (Fall 2016)

In this course we will consider the various debates over development and globalization from post-WWII to the present, how the global economy and relationships between nations have changed during this period, the actors involved in shaping the nature of this change, and the social, economic and environmental outcomes of the prevailing way of conceiving of and structuring development and globalization. We will consider various theories of development, approaches to development and their outcomes, as well as explore three topics in-depth (labor in today’s global economy, global finance, and the environment). We will conclude the course by considering alternative approaches to pursuing development, and alternative conceptualizations of development that have emerged on the grassroots, local level throughout the world. Over the course of the semester we will compare and contrast the development experiences of countries in different regions of the world.

Week 1
Welcome to your Wikipedia project's course timeline. This page will guide you through the Wikipedia project for your course. Be sure to check with your instructor to see if there are other pages you should be following as well.

This page breaks down writing a Wikipedia article into a series of steps, or milestones. These steps include online trainings to help you get started on Wikipedia.

Your course has also been assigned a Wikipedia Content Expert. Check your Talk page for notes from them. You can also reach them through the &quot;Get Help&quot; button on this page.

To get started, please review the following handouts:


 * Editing Wikipedia pages 1–5
 * Evaluating Wikipedia


 * Create an account and join this course page, using the enrollment link your instructor sent you.
 * It's time to dive into Wikipedia. Below, you'll find the first set of online trainings you'll need to take. New modules will appear on this timeline as you get to new milestones. Be sure to check back and complete them! Incomplete trainings will be reflected in your grade.
 * When you finish the trainings, practice by introducing yourself to a classmate on that classmate’s Talk page.

This week, everyone should have a Wikipedia account.

Week 2
It's time to think critically about Wikipedia articles. You'll evaluate a Wikipedia article, and leave suggestions for improving it on the article's Talk page.


 * Complete the &quot;Evaluating Articles and Sources&quot; training (linked below).
 * Choose an article, and consider some questions (but don't feel limited to these):
 * Is each fact referenced with an appropriate, reliable reference?
 * Is everything in the article relevant to the article topic? Is there anything that distracted you?
 * Is the article neutral? Are there any claims, or frames, that appear heavily biased toward a particular position?
 * Where does the information come from? Are these neutral sources? If biased, is that bias noted?
 * Are there viewpoints that are overrepresented, or underrepresented?
 * Check a few citations. Do the links work? Is there any close paraphrasing or plagiarism in the article?
 * Is any information out of date? Is anything missing that could be added?
 * Choose at least 2 questions relevant to the article you're evaluating. Leave your evaluation on the article's Talk page. Be sure to sign your feedback with four tildes — ~.

Now that you're thinking about what makes a &quot;good&quot; Wikipedia article, consider some additional questions.


 * Wikipedians often talk about &quot;content gaps.&quot; What do you think a content gap is, and what are some possible ways to identify them?
 * What are some reasons a content gap might arise? What are some ways to remedy them?
 * Does it matter who writes Wikipedia?
 * What does it mean to be &quot;unbiased&quot; on Wikipedia? How is that different, or similar, to your own definition of &quot;bias&quot;?

Week 3
Your midterm exam is this week so there will be no assignments due.

Week 4
You should add a small contribution to an article related to your class, or add a citation to a claim that doesn't have one.


 * Complete the &quot;Sources and Citations&quot; training (linked below).When you make a small claim, clearly state the fact in your own words, and then cite the source where you found the information.
 * The Citation Hunt tool can show you some statements that don't have citations. You can use that to find an article to reference.
 * First, evaluate whether the statement in question is true! An uncited statement could just be lacking a reference or it could be inaccurate or misleading. Reliable sources on the subject will help you choose whether to add it or correct the statement.


 * Blog posts and press releases are considered poor sources of reliable information. Why?
 * What are some reasons you might not want to use a company's website as the main source of information about that company?
 * What is the difference between a copyright violation and plagiarism?
 * What are some good techniques to avoid close paraphrasing and plagiarism?

Week 5
Your work on Wikipedia is done. It's time to choose a topic for your research paper based on a content gap that you identified in Wikipedia. In your research paper you will explore a topic of interest to you (that is related to the course content), read and analyze the academic research on the topic, and write an essay that makes an argument that is supported by evidence from academic sources. The paper should be 7-10 pages long. Your research paper is a separate (but related) project that will not be posted on Wikipedia. If you want to continue (on your own) contributing to Wikipedia based on the research that you do for this paper, you are welcome to, but it will not be factored into your grade for the assignment.


 * Choose your topic
 * Find your sources
 * Create an annotated bibliography with at least ten sources.

Week 6
Every student has finished an annotated bibliography.

Week 7
Every student has begun writing the paper.

Week 8
Keep working on your paper.

Week 9
Finish writing and polishing your paper. Be sure to do some final edits so that you don't turn in a paper with typos, grammar mistakes, and/or awkwardly worded sentences.