28 Sep Bias in Primary Sources
Order Instructions
4-1 Activity: Bias in Primary Sources
Overview
History consists of humans who each have a unique combination of beliefs, assumptions, values, and biases. The stories we tell and the knowledge we create about the past cannot be separated from their authors. Thus, we should never accept a source at face value. But instead, we must be critical consumers of information. In this activity, you will analyze your primary sources for narratives and consider if any bias is represented.
Prompt
Use the provided Module Four Activity Template: Bias in Primary Sources Word Document to complete this activity. First, you will locate an additional primary source related to your historical event. Next, you will answer questions about your event and the primary source you identified in a previous module. You will then consider whether there is evidence of bias in these sources.
Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:
Conduct source analysis on two primary sources relevant to your historical event.
You will respond to specific questions about each source in the activity template.
Analyze the primary sources relevant to your historical event for the presence of bias.
What clues are present in your two sources that may indicate bias? Provide evidence of these clues from your sources. If you do not think there is bias, provide evidence to support your claim.
Compare how your historical event is represented in your primary sources.
Do the two sources tell the same story, or are contrasting perspectives represented? Provide evidence from your sources.
Guidelines for Submission
Submit the Module Four Activity Template: Bias in Primary Sources. Sources should be cited according to APA style. Consult the Shapiro Library APA Style Guide for more information on citations.
Module Four Activity Rubric
Criteria Proficient (100%) Needs Improvement (75%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Conduct Source Analysis Conducts source analysis on primary sources relevant to the historical event Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include answering all source analysis questions or providing more evidence from sources to support answers Does not attempt criterion 40
Analyze Primary Sources Analyzes primary sources relevant to the historical event for the presence of bias Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include providing more evidence from sources to support the presence or absence of bias Does not attempt criterion 30
Compare Sources Compares how the historical event is represented in primary sources Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include providing more evidence from sources to illustrate how they compare Does not attempt criterion 20
Articulation of Response Clearly conveys meaning with correct grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, demonstrating an understanding of audience and purpose Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, negatively impacting readability The submission has critical errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, preventing understanding of ideas 10
Total: 100%
