1. SAGE Lecture Spark
[9/4/18]
The Publisher of the Social Sciences

2. “The Secret Stupid Saudi-US Deal on Syria”
Look carefully and visit both this website and the Wikipedia article (with references) that we have attached. You will see that this article is an example of misinformation. Other articles in this week’s post are not misinformation, but this first one is used to highlight just how wary/diligent we must be as news/media consumers today.
The president and director of this organization is a real professor, but has been known to argue that the 9/11 terrorism was perpetrated by our own government. A wide range of scholarly and mainstream journalistic institutions have also noted his Pro-Russian propagandist stance.
This article author in particular has claimed global warming is a scare tactic, and spoken on the Russian Government-run Russia Today.
Here he argues that the wars in Syria and Ukraine have been initiated by the U.S. to destabilize Russia and Russian interests.

3. U.S. Trade War with China
“The United States' trade war with China is likely to last much longer than originally thought — extending well into the second half of next year and perhaps beyond, experts say.”
“Last week, the two sides boosted the tariffs to cover $100 billion in trade between the countries. As early as Sept. 6 — 10 days from now — the U.S. may substantially escalate, levying tariffs on $200 billion in trade, and Beijing is expected to strike back.”
“Trump says he is determined to get China to stop hacking U.S. commercial secrets and forcing American companies to disgorge their intellectual property to Chinese rivals.”
“There is an outside chance that the trade war spirals out of control, such as the enactment of ‘Buy American’ procurement rules or China deciding to block U.S. ships in port, Posen said.”

4. Pittsburgh Now Largest U.S. City Without Daily Newspaper
Pittsburgh will not be without a newspaper, but “the city's Post-Gazette informed readers it will cut its production schedule from seven days a week to five beginning this weekend.”
A union of Pittsburgh journalists called this “an insane, misguided plan" and "the beginning of the end." 
“The print side of newspapers has continued struggling to stay afloat as free and more convenient digital options are readily available for consumers.”

5. What a Chinese Superpower Looks Like
China looks to the U.S. as a yardstick for what it needs to become a global superpower, owing mostly to the global system (economic and otherwise) having been significantly formed by the United States.
Despite this, China shuns the term ”superpower,” dislikes the association with the U.S., and seeks to become a stronger nation on its own terms, with its own approach.

6. Key Concepts Globalization and the Media:
Globalization as defined through media contexts
Globalization as “global,” but centrally controlled by wealthy nations
The ease of misinformation or conspiracy theory spread in a globalized media environment

7. Assessment
Writing: Consider the misinformative first article. How did it make you feel to note how academic/official this article/source seemed? What concerns did this bring to mind?
Debate: Is it good or bad for news sources and newspapers to be increasingly moving online and out of print?
Poll: Which global nations do you most see media from besides the U.S.? (Think TV, Movies, and the Internet in particular)
The United Kingdom, China, India, Germany, or Brazil.
Short Answer: Please give your best definition of globalization. Consider your textbooks, dictionaries, and online sources and build one that seems the most right to you.
Current Events Quiz
The Center for Research on Globalization is ____.
China feels that the term “superpower” is something ____.
Pittsburgh is now ____.
The print side of newspapers is____.
According to the article provided, the U.S. and China trade war has a chance of ____.
Answers
Of questionable legitimacy/truth
To be shunned
The largest U.S. city without a print newspaper every day of the week
4. Struggling to stay afloat
5. Spiraling out of control