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Wikipedia:Wiki Ed/UCBerkeley/DS150 (Fall 2016)

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Course name
DS150
Institution
UCBerkeley
Instructor
Tiffany Linton Page
Wikipedia Expert
Ian (Wiki Ed)
Subject
Environment & Development
Course dates
2016-08-24 00:00:00 UTC – 2016-12-12 23:59:59 UTC
Approximate number of student editors
30


Humans have become increasingly aware of the environmental implications of how we have chosen to define and pursue economic development. There are many debates about how to respond to the environmental crises we are seeing, as well as who should be responsible for making and/or initiating changes in response. These debates emerge out of a context in which there is an unequal distribution of the impacts of many of these environmental issues and an unequal distribution of wealth both across and within countries. In this course, we will look at the history of economic development and how the environment was not a consideration during much of this history; the emergence of environmental awareness and the history of the environmental movement culminating in the present moment in which there is widespread consensus that human activity is contributing to climate change and the dire effects of this; how this awareness and understanding has raised questions about how economic development has been defined and is being pursued and the need for us to acknowledge and adapt to the environmental constraints we face. We, then, examine the environmental impacts of a number of industries that countries are developing as part of their pursuit of economic growth, environmental critiques of these industries, and related alternative ideas about development. We conclude the course by reflecting on – based on what we have learned – how we, as a society, need to rethink development.

Student Assigned Reviewing
T.br273 Environmental issues in Sri Lanka
Yfamiloni
Gaelcedric Deep Ecology Deep ecology
Marimara93 Environmental issues in Colombia
IsabelW94 Environmental issues in the United Arab Emirates
AthenaAn1994 Environmental issues in Laos, Environmental issues in Jordan
Aleyba Environmental issues in Georgia Poaching
Sharonjchoi Criticisms of globalization
Mattosterhaus Indigenous Peoples Climate Change Assessment Initiative, Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context Environmental issues in Israel, Electronic waste in China
Akaash agarwal Environmental issues in Kuwait
Bshenouda Payment for ecosystem services
Hasnathashwani Environmental issues in Pakistan
Annawhitney Environmental Issues in Mongolia
Yuewu96 Environmental issues in Yemen
Nsummerle Poaching
Shhwin
Jcrobinsonberkeley Environmental issues in Uzbekistan
Jeankchoi Electronic waste in China
Bidishakroy Environmental Issues in Bangladesh
Jayoungs
Sherb1 Green development
Arobinson129 Environmental issues in Israel
Ebellamy16 Environmental issues in Haiti
Theamhanson Environmental Issues in Saudi Arabia
Asbeyza Sustainable Procurement
MubashR
Sasan.saadat Sustainable Development Mechanism
Tzerbino Environmental issues in Uruguay
Mgiron13
Mchen8 Ecocentrism, Deforestation in Cambodia
Aashnadiva Environmental issues in Brunei, Environmental issues in Bahrain

Timeline

Week 1

Course meetings
Wednesday, 7 September 2016   |   Friday, 9 September 2016
In class - Introduction to the Wikipedia project

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 "Get Help" button on this page.

To get started, please review the following handouts:


Assignment - Practicing the basics
  • 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.
Milestones

This week, everyone should have a Wikipedia account.

Week 2

Course meetings
Monday, 12 September 2016   |   Wednesday, 14 September 2016   |   Friday, 16 September 2016
Assignment - Critique an article

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 "Evaluating Articles and Sources" 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 — ~~~~.


In class - Discussion
What's a content gap?

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

  • Wikipedians often talk about "content gaps." 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 "unbiased" on Wikipedia? How is that different, or similar, to your own definition of "bias"?

Week 3

Course meetings
Monday, 19 September 2016   |   Wednesday, 21 September 2016   |   Friday, 23 September 2016
Assignment - Add to an article

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 "Sources and Citations" 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.

Week 4

Course meetings
Monday, 26 September 2016   |   Wednesday, 28 September 2016   |   Friday, 30 September 2016
In class - Discussion
Thinking about sources and plagiarism
  • 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

Course meetings
Monday, 3 October 2016   |   Wednesday, 5 October 2016   |   Friday, 7 October 2016
Assignment - Choose your topic / Find your sources/Create an Annotated Bibliography

It's time to choose an article and assign it to yourself.

  • Review page 6 of your Editing Wikipedia guidebook.
  •  Find an article from the list of "Available Articles" on the Articles tab on this course page. When you find the one you want to work on, click Select to assign it to yourself. 
  •  In your sandbox, write a few sentences about what you plan to contribute to the selected article. 
    •  Think back to when you did an article critique. What can you add? Post some of your ideas to the article's talk page. 
    •  Compile a list of relevant, reliable books, journal articles, or other sources and create an annotated bibliography. Post that bibliography to the talk page of the article you'll be working on, and in your sandbox. Make sure to check in on the Talk page to see if anyone has advice on your bibliography. 

Week 6

Course meetings
Monday, 10 October 2016   |   Wednesday, 12 October 2016   |   Friday, 14 October 2016
Assignment - Draft your article

You've picked a topic and found your sources. Now it's time to start writing.

Creating a new article?

  • Write an outline of that topic in the form of a standard Wikipedia article's "lead section." Write it in your sandbox.
    • A "lead" section is not a traditional introduction. It should summarize, very briefly, what the rest of the article will say in detail. The first paragraph should include important, broad facts about the subject. A good example is Ada Lovelace. See Editing Wikipedia page 9 for more ideas.

Improving an existing article?

  • Identify what's missing from the current form of the article. Think back to the skills you learned while critiquing an article. Make notes for improvement in your sandbox.



Keep reading your sources, too, as you prepare to write the body of the article.

Resources: Editing Wikipedia pages 7–9

Milestones

Everyone has begun writing their article drafts.

Week 7

Course meetings
Monday, 17 October 2016   |   Wednesday, 19 October 2016   |   Friday, 21 October 2016
Assignment - Expand your draft
  • Keep working on transforming your article into a complete first draft. Get draft ready for peer-review.
  • If you'd like a Content Expert to review your draft, now is the time! Click the "Get Help" button in your sandbox to request notes.
Milestones
  • Finish first draft of article.

Week 8

Course meetings
Monday, 24 October 2016   |   Wednesday, 26 October 2016   |   Friday, 28 October 2016
Assignment - Peer review and copy edit
  • First, take the "Peer Review" online training.
  • Select two classmates’ articles that you will peer review and copyedit. On the Articles tab, find the articles that you want to review, and then assign them to yourself in the Review column.
  • Peer review your classmates' drafts. Leave suggestions on on the Talk page of the article, or sandbox, that your fellow student is working on. Other editors may be reviewing your work, so look for their comments! Be sure to acknowledge feedback from other Wikipedians.
  • As you review, make spelling, grammar, and other adjustments. Pay attention to the tone of the article. Is it encyclopedic?
Milestones

Every student has finished reviewing their assigned articles, making sure that every article has been reviewed.

Week 9

Course meetings
Monday, 31 October 2016   |   Wednesday, 2 November 2016   |   Friday, 4 November 2016
Assignment - Respond to your peer review

You probably have some feedback from other students and possibly other Wikipedians. It's time to work with that feedback to improve your article!

  • Read Editing Wikipedia pages 12 and 14.
  • Return to your draft or article and think about the suggestions. Decide which ones to start implementing. Reach out to your instructor or your Content Expert if you have any questions.


Assignment - Begin moving your work to Wikipedia

Once you've made improvements to your article based on peer review feedback, it's time to move your work to Wikipedia proper - the "mainspace."

Editing an existing article?

  • NEVER copy and paste your draft of an article over the entire article. Instead, edit small sections at a time.
  • Copy your edits into the article. Make many small edits, saving each time, and leaving an edit summary. Never replace more than one to two sentences without saving!

Creating a new article?

  • Read Editing Wikipedia page 13, and follow those steps to move your article from your Sandbox to Mainspace.
  • You can also review the [[../../../training/students/sandboxes|Sandboxes and Mainspace]] online training.

Week 10

Course meetings
Monday, 7 November 2016   |   Wednesday, 9 November 2016
Assignment - Continue improving your article

Do additional research and writing to make further improvements to your article, based on suggestions and your own critique.

  • Read Editing Wikipedia page 12 to see how to create links from your article to others, and from other articles to your own. Try to link to 3–5 articles, and link to your article from 2–3 other articles.


Assignment - Polish your work

Continue to expand and improve your work, and format your article to match Wikipedia's tone and standards. Remember to contact your Content Expert at any time if you need further help!


Assignment - Final article

It's the final week to develop your article.

  • Read Editing Wikipedia page 15 to review a final check-list before completing your assignment.
  • Don't forget that you can ask for help from your Content Expert at any time!
Milestones

Everyone should have finished all of the work they'll do on Wikipedia, and be ready for grading.

Week 11

Course meetings
Monday, 14 November 2016   |   Wednesday, 16 November 2016   |   Friday, 18 November 2016
Assignment - Reflective essay
  • Write a reflective essay (2–5 pages) on your Wikipedia contributions.


Assignment - Prepare for in-class presentation
  • Prepare for an in-class presentation about your Wikipedia editing experience.

Week 12

Course meetings
Monday, 21 November 2016
In class - In-class presentation
  • Present about your Wikipedia editing experience.


In class - Discussion
Thinking about Wikipedia
  • What do you think of Wikipedia's definition of "neutrality"?
  • What are the impacts and limits of Wikipedia as a source of information?
  • On Wikipedia, all material must be attributable to reliable, published sources. What kinds of sources does this exclude? Can you think of any problems that might create?
  • If Wikipedia was written 100 years ago, how might its content (and contributors) be different? What about 100 years from now?