Gottschalks

Article summary

Gottschalks (former NYSE ticker symbol GOT) was a middle-tier American department store that operated 58 department stores and three specialty apparel stores in six western states (California, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada); some locations ran as Harris-Gottschalks stores. Prior to liquidation, it was the largest independently owned, publicly traded department store chain in the United States. On January 14, 2009, Gottschalks filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This bankruptcy became a liquidation on March 31, 2009. At least five prime locations became Macy's stores, while several more became Forever 21 stores.

Key claims

1. date of death: 1963 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
2. date of foundation: 1904 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
3. employees: 500 employees — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
4. employees: 150 employees — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
2. The record states that the date of death is "1963". What evidence would count against this claim?
3. The record states that the date of foundation is "1904". What evidence would count against this claim?
4. The record states that the employees is "500 employees". What evidence would count against this claim?
5. The record states that the employees is "150 employees". What evidence would count against this claim?
6. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
7. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1359450635