Length: 2000 words; slightly longer is
fine. Due April 5, 2024
Research and write a substantial paper that builds
on the rumor theory material
addressed in your Synthesis
Paper, after approval from the instructor. Synthesize
at least two theories about rumor using the authors in Chapter 13 of the
textbook, and do additional research via the UBC library databases. Then use these theories and
research to analyze a rumor of your choosing. This rumor may be from an on-line
or real-life source. You may wish to
discuss one or more of the following questions: why did people believe this
rumor? Why did it spread? Did anyone try to stop it, and if so were they
successful? What were the impacts of this rumor?
Your paper
can also evaluate
the usefulness of the various
theories, and agree or disagree
with them. You can also go beyond the theories if you have ideas that
develop and expand them.
However, your paper must demonstrate excellent
understanding of the source material. Your disagreement or your expansion
should not be based on a mis-reading
of the source material.
is a useful site for looking up urban legends and current rumors in circulation on the internet, as well as fact checking
political news stories
Over the past several years, the question of rumors in
political and public life has become central
to the American political process.
Feel free to interpret the concept of rumor widely, and see if the theories in the textbook are adequate to explain the current situation, or if you need to adapt and expand them.
