"You Mean They *Lied* to Me? -- Consumer Literacy for the 21st
Century
March 17, 4:30-6:30 Chafee 271
We will not have class at our regular time - this presentatrion will be counted as our Wednesday class this wee. Attendance is mandatory. If you have a scheduling conflict and cannot attend, complete the assignment listed below.
Assignment for Attendees (Due March 24):
Write a 1-2 page reflective essay about your reactions to the presentation by
Lesley Fair, Linda Golodner and Jeanne Hogarth. In the essay, choose a topic that was
discussed, preferably one you are interested in or have experience with, and explain why
you think it is an important issue in your life. Did you learn anything new about the
issue? Do you feel that consumer agencies adequately protect the public? How do the issues
addressed in this forum relate to your becoming an information literate person?
Assignment for those who cannot attend
Pick a consumer and technology issue that you are interesten in or have
experience with and explore the Web sites of the agencies represented by the three
panelists. In a 1-2 page essay, explain what resources each agency provides for the
consumer and how effective you think the resources are. Is this an issue of real concern
to you? Did you learn anything new about the issue? Do you feel that these agencies
adequately protect the public? How do the issues addressed on these sites relate to your
becoming an information literate person?
Example - Identity theft (use this topic or one of your own choosing)
FTC ID Theft Home
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
National Consumers League - Invasion of the ID snatchers
http://www.nclnet.org/privacy/index.htm
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston – Identity Theft
http://www.bos.frb.org/consumer/identity/index.htm
Agency Web Sites
National Consumers League
http://www.nclnet.org/
Federal Reserve Board
http://www.federalreserve.gov/