Question.2651 - I n t r o d u c t i o n "Everyone is entitled to their own opinions – but not their own facts." (Daniel Patrick Moynihan, cited in Vanity Fair, 2010, para. 2) We form opinions – and make our judgments – based on facts we observe and values we hold. Our judgments are also influenced by the opinions of others. In the section "An Expert on Hate in America" in Chapter 6, one of the authors, Dr. Peter Facione, renders an opinion on a non-profit civil rights organization: Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). Dr. Facione is a leading advocate and one of the most influential voices in the field of critical thinking. His endorsement of the civil rights organization is unqualified. It is also transparent: Dr. Facione reveals that he is a financial supporter of the organization and has arranged speaking engagements for its founder. This is Dr. Facione's invitation to you, the reader: Knowing where you can learn more about the SPLC for yourself, and knowing about Dr. Facione's endorsement and support of the Center's work, evaluate this claim made by Dr. Facione: "The SPLC is an expert on hate in America" (p. 124). The endorsement of the SPLC is contained in the most current edition of the text, whose copyright date is 2016. Since that time Morris Dees, co-founder and former chief trial counsel, has been fired (Hassan, Zraick & Blinder, 2019). Previously, there has been controversy about groups and individuals that are listed by the SPLC as "hate groups" (Graham, 2016; Price, 2018). The?Top?25/07/2023, 07:03 Topic: Week 3: Evaluating Sourceshttps://chamberlain.instructure.com/courses/127112/discussion_topics/4467771 2/11 organization, which has nearly a half-billion dollars in assets, has also been criticized for how it spends these funds (Robinson, 2019).S e l f - A s s e s s m e n t Q u e s t i o n Before you submit your initial post, make sure to read the assigned chapter. Then, ask yourself the following: Did the article in Chapter 6 of the text seem credible and reliable? Why? Be very specific: Was it because it is in a textbook? Because it was written by a learned and respected person? Because of content in the article? Because of your previous knowledge of the SPLC?I n i t i a l P o s t I n s t r u c t i o n s For the initial post, address the following: Conduct additional research on the SPLC. Did your opinion alter in any way? Why? Only after you have done some responsible research should you begin to respond to the discussion prompt. The discussion is not about the SPLC; it is not about Dr. Facione. It is about what you have learned about forming opinions. Your post must answer this question: How do you define the term "expert"? Your post must also discuss at least two (2) of the following questions: How important are facts in the process of forming an opinion? Explain what you believe to be the purpose or function of facts in making a judgment. How did you respond to the self-assessment question? Since doing further research, have you re-thought the way in which you assess credibility and reliability? What is the importance of factoring the recency of a reference or opinion (i.e., how old is it?) into an assessment of credibility and reliability? How would you evaluate Dr. Facione's claim "The SPLC is an expert on hate in America" (p. 124). Does the SPLC fit your definition of "expert"? Be specific in your answer.F o l l o w - U p P o s t I n s t r u c t i o n s Respond to at least one peer. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.Wr i t i n g R e q u i r e m e n t s Minimum of 2 posts (1 initial & 1 follow-up) Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside source)Top25/07/2023, 07:03 Topic: Week 3: Evaluating Sourceshttps://chamberlain.instructure.com/courses/127112/discussion_topics/4467771 3/11 APA format for in-text citations and list of referencesG r a d i n g This activity will be graded using the Discussion Grading Rubric. Please review the following link: Discussion Guidelines (https://cdn.brandfolder.io/74235FBJ/as/rmtc7c7kmwpj6bpw962c39xm/Discussion_Guidelines_- _General_Education.docx)C o u r s e O u t c o m e s CO 4: Evaluate arguments by applying tests of truthfulness, logical strength, relevance, and non-circularity. CO 5: Evaluate the role of cognitive bias and fallacies of relevance in critical reasoning and decision-making. CO 6: Apply principles of critical reasoning to political, educational, economic, and/or social issues.D u e D a t e Due Date for Initial Post: By 11:59 p.m. MT Recommended by Wednesday Due Date for Follow-Up Posts: By 11:59 p.m. MT on Sunday Posts must be on two separate days.R e f e r e n c e sFacione, P. A., & Gittens, C. A. (2016). Think critically (3rd ed.). Pearson. Graham, D.A., (2016, October) How did Maajid Nawaz end up on a list of 'anti-Muslim extremists'?https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/10/maajid-nawaz-splc-anti-muslim- extremist/505685/Hassan, A., Zraick, K., & Blinder, A (2019, March 24) Morris Dees, a co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, is ousted. New YorkTimes. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/14/us/morris-dees-southern-poverty-law-center- fired.htmlPrice, G. (2018, June 18) Southern Poverty Law Center settles lawsuit after falsely labeling'extremist' organization. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/splc-nawaz-million- apologizes-981879Robinson, N. J. (2019, March) The Southern Poverty Law Center is everything that’s wrong withliberalism. Current Affairs. https://www.currentaffairs.org/2019/03/the-southern-poverty- Top25/07/2023, 07:03 Topic: Week 3: Evaluating Sourceshttps://chamberlain.instructure.com/courses/127112/discussion_topics/4467771 4/11 Search entries or author? Replylaw-center-is-everything-thats-wrong-with-liberalism Vanity Fair. (2010, October 10). An American original. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2010/11/moynihan-letters-201011

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