The Believing and Doubting Game for the Fake News Era: A Lesson in Sociological Debunking

• In Event: 3223 - Teaching and Learning Symposium: Lightning Presentations of Teaching Technique

Abstract

Abstract: In the era of fake news, sociological debunking and teaching critical thinking is more important that ever. This presentation will introduce a teaching strategy/learning activity that blends the classic WAC activity, The Believing-Doubting Game, with sociological debunking. Students are presented with an article from a popular media source and are asked to play the believing/doubting game—this can be done in pairs, groups or individually—they are first tasked with “believing” everything they read, writing down the statements they found convincing. They are then tasked with “doubting,” where they note all the statements they find questionable or not credible. At this point, the class can engage in a discussion of their experiences of believing and doubting. Students are then asked to reflect on questions related to the text (instructor- or student-generated) what would make the text itself credible and to whom? Are there particular groups who are more likely to believe or doubt? What is the purpose of the article and who is the audience? How could they “fact-check” information in this article? Students will be asked to conclude this exercise by thinking about sociological concepts or theories that they can apply to controversy or social issue and/or what makes some people more likely to believe or doubt. Depending on course level, in preparation for or as part of this exercise, students can be presented with reputable data sources or asked to identify sources which they can use to fact check or debunk the issue or controversy presented in the article. At the end of this activity, students will be able to 1) take on multiple perspectives; 2) understand the need to fact check and identify credible data sources; 3) apply sociological concepts or theories to social issues; and 4) in general, think critically about the media they consume.

Author

• Rifat A. Salam, CUNY-Borough of Manhattan Community College