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Wikipedia:Wiki Ed/Carnegie Mellon University/Environmental Politics and Policy (Spring 2017)

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Course name
Environmental Politics and Policy
Institution
Carnegie Mellon University
Instructor
Deborah Stine
Wikipedia Expert
Ian (Wiki Ed)
Subject
Engineering and Public Policy
Course dates
2017-01-02 00:00:00 UTC – 2017-05-31 23:59:59 UTC
Approximate number of student editors
20


Overview

Engineers, scientists, policymakers, industry, environmental groups, and the public all influence environmental policy making, and should have an understanding of past and current environmental issues, technologies, policies, programs, and politics.

Wikipedia Project

This semester each of you will be asked to complete a Wikipedia project for the course. We are going to identify areas on Wikipedia that are lacking in public policy and engineering information via a content gap analysis, and then work to improve those areas on Wikipedia by adding new content to existing articles.

Grading

You will be graded on weekly one-page reflections that track the progress through the Wikipedia assignment.


  • Week 1: no write up, but you will have to create your Wikipedia accounts & take the introductory training modules. The Wiki Ed Dashboard will automatically track the completion of your trainings. You must complete all assigned trainings throughout the semester to get full credit for the "week 1" assignment.

  • Week 2: Wikipedia article evaluation.

  • Week 3: Wikipedia content gap analysis.

  • Week 4: Finalize topic & complete literature review.

  • Week 5: Draft your entry.

  • Week 6: Peer review.

  • Week 7: Finalize contributions & move your work live.

  • Week 8: Reflection paper.
Student Assigned Reviewing
Lilyyeqing Environmental issue
Cjohnsonhall Climate change and agriculture
Jprather18
Sophiepak27 User:Sophiepak27?veaction=edit
Gwej Water security
Isolari Fossil fuel phase-out
Hengruil South–North Water Transfer Project?veaction=edit&oldid=771926563
Jjlennon Environmental impact of agriculture
Hewentao Women in engineering
Lvquanyang
Jmwr61097
James duguid1
Nmatamala Energy in Qatar
Kaixinst
Lkashef Environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing Fossil fuel phase-out, Water treatment
Candace205

Timeline

Week 12

Course meetings
Tuesday, 21 March 2017   |   Thursday, 23 March 2017
In class - Introduction to the Wikipedia project

Welcome to our Wikipedia project timeline. This page will guide you through the Wikipedia project for our course. Be sure to check our course blackboard page for other assignments you should be completing. 


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. 

Assignment - Set up Wikipedia profile; Complete Wiki Essentials/Editing Basics Training

Due Wednesday, March 22nd.


  • 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. 
  • To get started, please also review the following handouts: 


Milestones

This week, everyone should have a Wikipedia account.

Week 13

Course meetings
Tuesday, 28 March 2017   |   Thursday, 30 March 2017
Assignment - Evaluate Wikipedia

Due Monday, March 27th.   

Assignment
This week you'll evaluate a few Wikipedia articles, and leave suggestions for improving them on the article Talk pages. 


  • Complete the "Evaluating Articles and Sources" training (linked below).
  • Pick 3 of the following Wikipedia articles to read and evaluate:
  • While you read, 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?
    • Check the "talk" page - what conversation is the Wikipedia community having behind the scenes about how to represent these topics? 
    • Is the article locked? What is the article rated? 
  • Take notes in your sandbox about what you've learned during this process. Then, use these prompts to complete your write up for this week.

What's due?
 A one page write up of what you learned during the article evaluation process, due on Blogger. 

Week 14

Course meetings
Tuesday, 4 April 2017   |   Thursday, 6 April 2017
Assignment - Content gap analysis & literature review.

Due Monday, April 10.
Assignment
 This week you'll complete a content gap analysis and a literature review on Wikipedia. To start, complete the "Sources and Citations" training (linked below).


Part 1: Gap Analysis
Take a look at a few categories of Wikipedia articles that are related to the course and dive in. What information, generally, seems to be well represented? What information or articles seem to be missing? Take a look at these category links here to get started. Feel free to continue to "dive down the Wikipedia black hole" into other sub-categories or related category links. 

Part 2: Literature Review
To start, review page 6 of your Editing Wikipedia guidebook. Then, pick one of the topics you've identified in the gap analysis and assign it to yourself on the Students tab OR find an article from the list of "Available Articles" on the Articles tab on this course page and when you find the one you want to work on, click Select to assign it to yourself. 


Compile a list of relevant, reliable books, journal articles, or other sources related to your topic. Post that bibliography to the talk page of the article and in your sandbox. Your literature review should include at least 5 secondary sources that discuss the topic (only 1 of these can be from the existing Wikipedia article.)

What's due?
 A one page write up of what you learned in thinking about content gaps on Wikipedia as well as the list of your literature review sources, due on Blogger. While you reflect, consider the following 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 15

Course meetings
Tuesday, 11 April 2017   |   Thursday, 13 April 2017
Assignment - Draft your article

Due Monday, April 17th.

Assignment
 This week you will begin drafting your improvements for your Wikipedia article. You should also take the "Sandboxes and Mainspace" and "Plagiarism" trainings (linked below.)
Using the skills you've learned from the article evaluation and content gap analysis, identify what's missing from the current form of your article. Re-read your sources from your literature review and compare the information there to the article as it stands. What can you improve? Use your sandbox to draft your work. At the end of this week you should have a complete first draft in your sandbox ready for peer review.

Resources: Editing Wikipedia pages 7–9

What's due?
 A one page draft of your proposed article improvements and a short reflection on sourcing on Wikipedia, due on Blogger.  While you reflect, consider the following questions: 


  • 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?

Hint: 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

Everyone has begun writing their article drafts.

Week 16

Course meetings
Tuesday, 18 April 2017
Assignment - Peer review and copyedit

Virtually by April 24th
Assignment
  You will peer review two other students' drafts and leave suggestions for them on their Sandbox talk pages. 


  • 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 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? 

What's due? 
 Response to Peer Review on Blogger by Wednesday, April 26th.  Details in next entry.

Milestones

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


Assignment - Respond to your peer review

April 20th: no class, spring carnival.

Assignment (due Monday, April 26th).
You should take some time this week and over the weekend to respond to your peer review notes. 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 and update your draft in your sandbox. Reach out to your instructor or your Content Expert if you have any questions. 

What's due?
A one page write up of your peer review process, with a new draft of your article included (due on Blogger). What did you notice about how your peers could improve their work? What changes did they suggest for you? Which ones did you decide to implement and why? 

Week 17

Course meetings
Tuesday, 25 April 2017   |   Thursday, 27 April 2017
Assignment - Begin moving your work to Wikipedia

Due Monday, May 1.

Assignment
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 sure you are in the "edit" or "edit source" view on both your draft and the live article space. Make many small edits, saving each time, and leaving an edit summary. Never replace more than one to two sentences without saving!
  • Don't forget you can review the "Sandboxes and Mainspace" training again for support or ask your content expert using the "Get Help" button on the course page. 

Once your work is live:


  • 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. 
  • 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! 

What's due?
A one page write up of how the "move live" process went for you, due on Blogger. Had the article changed since you'd last looked at it? Did you have to adapt any of your draft last minute? 

Week 18

Course meetings
Tuesday, 2 May 2017   |   Thursday, 4 May 2017
Assignment - Final article

Due Tuesday, May 2nd.

Assignment
It's the final week to develop your article. Make all your final article edits. 


  • 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!

What's due?
 Your reflection paper is due on May 4th. 

Assignment - Reflective essay

Due May 4th.

Write a reflective essay (2–5 pages) on your Wikipedia contributions, due on Blogger.


Consider the following questions as you reflect on your Wikipedia assignment:


  • Critiquing articles: What did you learn about Wikipedia during the article evaluation? How did you approach critiquing the article you selected for this assignment? How did you decide what to add to your chosen article? 
  • Summarizing your contributions: include a summary of your edits and why you felt they were a valuable addition to the article. How does your article compare to earlier versions? 
  • Peer Review: If your class did peer review, include information about the peer review process. What did you contribute in your review of your peers article? What did your peers recommend you change on your article? 
  • Feedback: Did you receive feedback from other Wikipedia editors, and if so, how did you respond to and handle that feedback? 
  • Wikipedia generally: Reflect on some of the following questions... 
    • What did you learn from contributing to Wikipedia? 
    • How does a Wikipedia assignment compare to other assignments you've done in the past? 
    • How can Wikipedia be used to improve public understanding of our field/your topic? Why is this important? 
    • 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?
Milestones

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

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