This assignment will be based on a study conducted by NPR by Jingnan and Bond entitled, “New study shows just how Facebook’s algorithm shapes conservative and liberal bubbles”. This assignment will be written based on your individual evaluation of how political profiles are represented in the social media platform, Facebook addressing the following issue “Is Facebook exacerbating America’s political divide? Are viral posts, algorithmically ranked feeds, and partisan echo chambers driving us apart? Do conservatives and liberals exist in ideological bubbles online?” Use your knowledge of discourse communities to create specific criteria used to evaluate the effectiveness of the mechanisms for communication on Facebook to spread valid information. Use Melzer’s list and evaluate each mechanism used on Facebook to spread political information about one or more political figures represented in the 2024 election. Compare and contrast this information to the 2020 election, if applicable.
Instructions: Write a two-paragraph evaluation of how discourse communities are represented by evaluating two or more political figures from the 2020 or 2024 election. Use Melzer’s definition of discourse communities to evaluate Facebook’s effectiveness of representing credible political content for their political discourse community. Use the following criteria:
“1. A broadly agreed upon set of common public goals
2. Mechanisms of intercommunication among members
3. Use of these communication mechanisms to provide information
and feedback
4. One or more genres that help further the goals of the discourse community
5. A specific lexis (specialized language)
6. A threshold level of expert members (24-26)”
A. In the first body paragraph, evaluate Facebook’s algorithm based on how discourse communities are represented for both conservatives and liberals on Facebook. Include a clear topic sentence that grabs your reader’s attention. Context regarding the criteria and methods used for your evaluation of the discourse community. Specific examples and evidence that is clearly documented. In the conclusion address the following: Is the “bubble” theory correct? Why or why not? Give substantial evidence by reviewing one or more of the following profiles:
Chase Oliver:(1) FacebookLinks to an external site.
Kamala Harris: (1) FacebookLinks to an external site.
Donald Trump: (1) FacebookLinks to an external site.
Joe Biden: (1) FacebookLinks to an external site.
Robert F Kennedy: (1) FacebookLinks to an external site.
B. In the second body paragraph, explain what you would like to learn more about based on your initial research. Identify more specific methods and criterion to use in your paper in four to five sentences. Include a clear topic sentence, explanation of your interests in your project and points where you would like to expand your project. Conclude by summing up the main point of the paragraph based on your endeavors.
Sources for Review:
Read the following article New study shows just how Facebook’s algorithm shapes conservative and liberal bubbles.