Transcript PAPER THREE - St. Edward's University

SUBMISSION FOUR
FIELD RESEARCH
Purpose?
• See controversy from a
different perspective
• Gain more information
about the controversy
• Get Feedback about
your tentative solution
Three Parts
• Two Fieldwork components
1. Interviews
2. Civic Engagement
• Final Conclusion
EXPERT INTERVIEWS
Identifying experts
• Education and/or work
experience in the area
(usual)
• Not just people with
opinions
How Many Experts
• Two total
– 1 For Each Side
• You must include the
contact information in
your research file
• No anonymous
interviews
What You Cannot Do
• Interview family
members
• SEU affiliates
• Interview via telephone
Finding interviewees
• Ask your professors
• Check library.
– List of organizations
• Check the internet
• Get a directory of
elected officials
THE QUESTIONS
Writing your questionnaire
• P 57-59 in Handbook
• About issues (3-5 questions)
• About moral reasoning (consequences)
• About your conclusion/solution
Ask each interviewee the same questions.
WRONG QUESTIONS!
• What do you know
about the controversy?
• Where do you stand on
the controversy? (This is
too much in your face)
• Personal information,
questions that put
people in awkward
situations.
Setting up the interviews
• Start now.
• Contact at least 3X as many people as you need.
• Be professional – these people are doing you a favor.
• Prepare to describe Capstone and your controversy
quickly.
Setting Up the Interviews
• Have a phone where you can be reached or a
message can be left.
• Ask for a time you can call back.
• Ask for referrals.
• Be persistent.
THE INTERVIEW
Conducting the interview
• Be on time.
• Dress appropriately.
• Taping:
– Pre-ask
– Be prepared
• Take notes efficiently.
Conducting the Interview
• Listen.
– You are a reporter, not a debater.
• Maintain control.
– Keep the interview focused.
• Remain courteous and open-minded.
• Thank you note- you are representing future
generations of St. Edward’s students.
WRITING IT UP
Writing Up the Results
• Do it as soon as possible
• You can always come
back to it
Write-up: The questions
• Report on every question
• Direct quotation:
– Use sparingly
Write-up: The analysis
• “Feel” of the interviews
• Interviewees:
– Knowledgeable?
– Open-minded?
– Demeanor?
• Did they change your mind?
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Civic Engagement and the Mission
Statement of SEU
• The University mission
urges you to take action
to solve problems
• You are required to take
action supporting your
position
Requirements
• Part of Paper 4
• It does not need to be particularly extensive
or time consuming.
• It should be a meaningful action that connects
your project with the problem
What you can do
•
•
•
•
•
•
Attend a meeting of involved groups
Speak to a group
Attend a march
Circulate petitions
Volunteer
Write a letter- you must turn the letter and
stamped envelop into me so that I can mail it
(verification)
What you cannot do
• Plan to take an action- you have to have it completed
before you complete your Capstone project
• Make a Donation- this is too easy, and too effective
• Sign up for a Newsletter
• Anything else that does not consist of a concrete
action
The Reality
• In politics, one person really cannot make a
difference unless they are politically, socially,
or economically important
• Grassroots is a euphemism for either “poor”
or “unorganized”
• Money is the best form of political activity
because it converts itself and it is identifiable
Understanding this…
• You should consider an activity that involves
the greatest political impact
• Involves the least cost (direct, indirect,
opportunity)
• Fulfills the requirements of the paper
Where to Go for help
Capstone Handbook pp 64-67
Come see me
Writing Up Civic Engagement
• Write about:
– what you did
– why
– how it impacted you, others
• Finish by predicting the future of your controversy
THE FINAL SOLUTION
The Final Solution
• Make a clear stand on
the solution
• Personal Reasons
• Moral reasons
• PP 67- 71
You final solution to the controversy
• If your mind has changed completely– Discuss how and why
• If you change your solution partially– Discuss why and in what ways
• If your mind is not changed at all– Counter argue, i.e., how would you refute the positions of
the interviewee on the other side
SPECIFICS OF PAPER 4
The Research File
• Include
– Civic Engagement
Activity Data
– Expert Questions
– Contact Information of
experts
Submission Four – 15%
Content
• Approx. 5-7 new pages
• Write-up and analysis of TWO in-person expert
interviews.
• Civic Engagement (supporting action) and Reflection
• Concludes with your supported final conclusion and
moral reasoning.
Form
• Perfect MLA
• Organization
• Full Works Cited
• No spelling/grammar
errors