Free write about some subjects you might be interested in researching this semester. Consider some of the inquiry based questions you have generated in class and consider your own personal interests. This is pretty open and the content is really up to you. What is a problem that you notice in your daily life? How might you characterize that problem or issue? Some of the best inquiry based projects focus on particular problems.
If you are having a bit of trouble coming up with your research subject, consider the research articles that are published on Stylus. http://writingandrhetoric.cah.ucf.edu/stylus/issues.php
It is important to note that not all articles published on Stylus are inquiry based studies, so be sure to look for articles published from ENC 1102 classes. Also, you might try watching some of the videos posted on the blog or reading some of the articles for invention strategies that might help.
Most importantly, find something that makes you wonder- that you care about!
MaryAnn Marichal
ReplyDeleteProfessor Joseph Longhany
ENC 1102 TT 3:00 pm
11 January 2017
Injury Ideas
Being a woman is hard.
Countless I have heard or been told degenerating comments against women, that it is time to take a stand. No boobs? Grow some. Big boobs? Cover yourself. You are being so vulgar. No butt? Better go do some squats or everyone will start laughing at you. Too much butt? Well, go cover yourself because you do not want to draw too much attention to your butt. Tall? You cannot be taller than men. You better not wear heels. Short? You need to start wearing heels every day. Skinny? Start eating meat, no man likes bones. Fat? Go to gym and start losing weight. Nobody likes a fat person. You like wearing makeup? Take it off, you look better natural. No makeup? Why can’t you take care of yourself? Do not be lazy, ladies.
See, we as women, no matter what we try will be constantly shamed for everything we do, so might as well start doing whatever we want.
LMAO! Preach! I can relate, this is so true.
DeleteHi MaryAnn,
DeleteYou are getting at ongoing issues that women currently face, and these double standards show up in many different ways.
You might want to check in on intersectional feminism as a response to some of these ongoing issues.
Sheryl Sandberg gives a pretty interesting TED talk about the challenges that women in leadership face. You might also look at how bell hooks responds to Sandberg.
What kinds of initiatives have succeeded in helping women combat some of these issues? What more needs to be done? Perhaps seeing this not just as a women's issue but as a men's issue could help too.
I think there is a ton of really cool stuff you can do with this idea.
Let me know if I can help.
- Joe
Attending college comes with its pros and cons. For example, college is expensive and the debt can be crippling, but it's proven college graduates make more money in the long run. The life experience that one gains in college is great, but is college actually giving the outcome that people dream of? A college degree opens up more employment opportunities, but for some reason, many college graduates are employed in jobs that do not require a degree or are unemployed. So what gives? Is the value of a college degree decreasing? Is college really worth it?
ReplyDeleteThe question of whether college is giving the outcome people dream of is subjective. I think some people slide into college just like they slide into an old, comfortable pair of jeans. Some grind out college because society says, 'you better go to college.'
DeleteAcademic inflation is happening- as more degrees are conferred, those degrees are less valuable. Think about what happens to the value of money when a nation prints too much.
I think there are two TED talks you might enjoy. Check out one by Alain de Botton, titled- A Kinder, Gentler, Philosophy of Success.
The other is by Sir Ken Robinson and is titled "How Schools Kill Creativity."
I think you are on the cusp of some interesting stuff.
- Joe
What is it about religion that makes everyone close off? In today’s society there are so many rules and guidelines to follow in order to not hurt anyone’s feelings. It’s not that there are set rules as to how we should behave, but we are prodded to believe that we must go about our business and worry only about ourselves and our ideas and if anyone thinks differently or has a different viewpoint, we are immediately offended. The same goes with people’s religion, we don’t want to ask questions about what another believes in fear of offending them. Why not ask the hard questions? Why not wonder why there are so many different religions? Why not learn what others believe in order to better ourselves as human beings? We have opportunities to broaden our views and wonder about the world religions, yet we are so closed off and scared to actually ask the questions. There is no need for arguments when it comes to asking, why not for once- instead of shoving our ideas down someone’s throat- don’t we actually listen to what others are saying instead of being offended by their viewpoint?
ReplyDeleteHi Breeana,
DeleteSome disagreement over religion stems from the belief that my religion has it right. My God is the one and only true God. And this kind of thinking doesn't usually lend itself to compromise. There are places where compromise does happen, and perhaps this is where you might do some inquiry. What allows some religious folks to move past difference and build connections?
You might check out an NPR podcast called Friends Talking Faith. An Imam, Rabbi, and a Reverend (Muslim, Jew, and Christian) get together every Tuesday night at 6:00pm for a discussion about how these different religions handle different topics.
The question of individuals being offended and saying offensive stuff is interesting to look at too. Clearly, some people have thin skin. With that said, it doesn't take long to see unmitigated vitriol on anonymous discussion board threads.
You're onto some cool stuff. Let me know if I can help with anything.
- Joe
Matthew Reinhart
ReplyDeleteTopic 1: Municipal Solid Waste
One of the most interesting inconsistencies I notice in our society is how we deal with our municipal waste. Every day we throw away countless objects whether it be plastic bottles, paper cups or wrappers. However, the expression “throw away” is misleading because these materials never actually vanish. It’s easy to forget that the garbage we dispose of on a daily basis has to be stored somewhere whether in a landfill or unfortunately in surrounding oceans and natural habitats. However, many of us, including myself, often forget about this issue and still continue to produce excessive amounts of municipal solid waste.
My question for this topic is:
“How does our current lifestyle and society cause us to produce so much solid waste?”
Topic 2: Infrastructure
Our nation’s infrastructure such as our buildings, bridges, utility systems, and roads are one of the most important facilities that we rely on daily. Despite their significance, many of these structures are deteriorating, outdated and even dangerous to use. The United States’ infrastructure is in dire need of repair but our government still has not implemented enough measures to fix the many structures we use every day.
My question for this topic is:
“What can be done by both citizens and government officials to fix our deteriorating infrastructure?”
Topic 3: The Second Amendment
The Second Amendment in the United States Constitution is one of the most controversial topics in our current society. Many people argue that the law should be removed or changed to improve public safety. Others state that citizens have the right to carry firearms for protection. With valid arguments on both sides of the discussion, the decision to change or leave the Second Amendment is still being debated.
My question for this topic is:
“Does giving United States citizens the right bear arms threaten or improve our safety?”
Hi Matthew,
DeleteYou are onto some really interesting ideas here. The first one about people's general lack of awareness of the sheer amount of waste they produce is interesting. I wonder if there have been successful initiatives that help people to become more aware of their consumption and wasteful habits.
I'm surprised that about 30% of my neighbors never put out their recycle bin. It takes almost zero effort to separate out plastic bottles. What the hell's going on?
Let me know if I can help with anything.
- Joe
So many teenagers and young adults use social media everyday, in their free time and times when they are not even supposed to, like in class or during study time. According to hhs.gov, the average teenager has five social media accounts and spends around 6-9 hours browsing these networks every day, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the total time spent on the internet.
ReplyDeleteThis is a huge amount of time being wasted when it can go to something more stimulating for the brain and educational, yet still fun and just as addicting as popular social media networks. So, how can social media networks be used for educational purposes and still be entertaining?
Looking into ways that social media can be leveraged for educational purposes is very interesting. Many educators are using different modes of social media in classes, and the question turns to effectiveness and entertainment value. Since the boom of social media only began just 15 years ago, there is much to learn.
DeleteThere may also be some negative results from overuse of social media. You might want to check out a TED talk by Eli Pariser about Filter Bubbles. Another talk by Jennifer Goldbeck is also very interesting. She looks at a sociological theory called homophily and its use in making accurate predictions from data.
Keep rolling, Demi. And let me know if you need anything.
- Joe
Spencer Bott
ReplyDeleteInquiry Ideas Free Write
Popular music today mostly sucks. I am an electronic music producer and I find it infuriating that mainstream radio stations and other platforms of music listening only promote artists who will bring in money for their business. The more plays, views, or listens, the more the company makes. For this reason radio stations will often replay the same 40 songs for months probably without introducing any new content. The amount of music put out by underground producers and composers is massive and there is a lot to hear. I have found that underground music is usually far more creative and expressive than popular music regardless of genre. The mainstream is crowded by blatant conformity and “party music”. I want to do research into why this is happening.
Also I’d like to address the stigma associated with electronic music these days. People use the blanket term “EDM” which refers to only a fraction of electronic music that is being put out. Electronic music is commonly associated with rave parties and heavy drug users. It is true that this rave scene exists but at the same time there are also so many great original musicians who use an electronic platform to express themselves artistically.
So I suppose my question would be something like, is there a stigma surrounding electronic music and why? Or, Why does music quality seem to diminish as popularity increases? Or, why do radio stations repeat the same similar sounding songs over and over while there is an abundance of original content to be shared?
I could perform primary research on this question by contacting radio stations and modern “Disc Jockies" to find out why they play the music they do. I could also include UCF students in surveys that ask about music taste, what their opinions are about radio’s music choices, and what they think of electronic music.
Hi Spencer,
DeleteI find this discussion to be very interesting. It reminds me of a TED talk by Malcolm Gladwell. He researches taste and preference and the question of how people know they like certain things. I recommend you check out this talk, which is titled: Choice Happiness and Spaghetti Sauce.
I wonder, if other kinds of music are truly better than typical Top 40 (which I believe is the case), why do people continue to tune into the same old songs played on repeat? If people stopped tuning into the top 40 stations, the stations would have to make adjustments. Clearly, they are still attracting listeners- but why?
You might want to check out a YouTube video titled the 4 Chord Song. This video is hilarious, and it speaks to the similarities between pop music. Be warned- there is a lot of cussing in this video.
Let me know if you need anything as you embark on this journey.
Now, Journey, that's a good band. Good stuff right there!
- Joe
I don't know about you guys, but I am responsible for paying my whole way through college. My parents are trying their best to help me with things like food, but they cannot afford to help pay for my out-of-state tuition. Having to pay for college all by myself makes me have a greater appreciation for my schooling and degree. I have a need to try hard and a want to do good in all of my classes and clubs. An observation of which I have made, which may not relate to everyone, is that if a student does not have to pay for their tuition and other expenses, due to a parent or guardian paying it all, then the student does not put as much effort into school and is not as focused. I have seen many more students who don’t have to pay themselves, drop out or who fail classes compared to those who have to pay their own way through. I am extremely interested in why this happens. Why do those who have to spend their own money try so much harder in school, on average, than those who don’t have to pay?
ReplyDeleteHi Alexis,
DeleteYou are onto an interesting discussion here. I'm not sure what the data says, but your observations certainly count for something. I worked throughout my college career, and at times, I know that I was not able to achieve as much academically as I could have if I didn't have to work 40-50 hours per week. With that said, I know that I learned a lot about work ethic that has bled over into my professional life today.
What factors enable working students to succeed and excel in college?
Is there a tried and true pathway or set of heuristics that can aid the working student?
Let me know if you need anything as you set out on this adventure.
- Joe
Sean Mclain
ReplyDeleteInquiry Idea
Is our copyright laws benefiting or hurting us? Most of us don't think about copyright and the laws that follow it. Unfortunately the current copyright laws that are in use today are horrible and prevent works of art from becoming something even better. This is due to Disney's huge greed over mickey mouse and thus became the problem we have today. Originally you would have the rights to an art work for 56 years, after which the piece would enter the public domain. A lot of people say that the shows aren't the same like they where in the day, but that is because Disney lobbied congress so they could extend the copyright for decades. Because of these laws nothing has entered the public domain in years and nothing will tell 2019. Books, songs, and movies are stuck in a legal limbo. All this creativity is locked away and nobody can build on current works. I feel like this would be a strong idea in which I could research and learn more about. I am also rather interested in law and I can correlate that interest into my paper.
It's interesting that Disney has no problem lifting stuff from other places, but Disney itself is super protective of its content. Where did Mickey Mouse come from? Steam Boat Willy. Where did most of the princess franchises come from? The Grimm Fairy-tales.
DeleteCheck out the work done by Lawrence Lessig. He has several TED talks that you should watch, and he's authored several books that you should check out of the library.
You might also like a TED talk by Mark Ronson- which tackles the issue of remix culture.
Also- check out this site: http://everythingisaremix.info/
You're into some really cool stuff here. Let me know if you need anything as you get this project underway.
- Joe
Kyle Lewis
ReplyDeleteInquiry Ideas
I have always loved to follow technology advancements through my generation. Through my life, I have always heard my parents and other adults saying how they didn’t have all the technology we have today and how we are lucky. Many say that technology as forms of entertainment can be very bad for kids and other teens. People say it will make you lazy, others will say it will make you dumb, while I just don’t think many of these statements are true.
I play video games a lot as a form of entertainment and fun, but I also don’t do the things they do in video games. This is another point I wanted to bring up, how many people think violence in video games can cause violence in teens and other adults. Playing things like Grand Theft Auto and Mortal Combat are extremely vulgar and bloody, but after playing them I must say that I don’t feel violent at all. While the game has yes desensitized me, I still argue the fact that a game can convince kids to do violent and vulgar things.
Hi Kyle,
DeleteI'm amazed at the number of people who buy into the fallacy that violent video games cause people to be violent. This kind of reasoning is oblivious to the uncountable range of factors that shape behavior. With that said, momentum is growing towards finding ways to leverage positive outcomes from games. Many are beginning to see that there are plenty of benefits that video games provide.
To what extent do video game skills transfer to other kinds of activities?
Let me know if you need anything as you dive into the research.
Best,
Joseph
Rhyan Grant
ReplyDeleteProfessor Joseph Longhany
ENC 1102
17 January 17
Kayla’s topic is very interesting and my research proposal is probably going to be similar pertaining to analyzing U.S education. I haven’t mastered this particular method of research yet referring to creating a research argument. My topic is going to focus deeper into the idea of U.S colleges being expensive. The student loan problem is a prevalent issue that many American citizens face after graduation. Student loan debt is increasing and many people are trying to find occupations that can pay off all the debt. Based on observing our U.S system I realized that many students from low income backgrounds are afraid to pursue furthering their studies to state universities because of the fear of dealing with loans. Are loans preventing the ability for more people to have access to a university education? What can we do in order to properly address this problem?
Hi Ryan,
DeleteDo you think the exorbinant costs of college continue to make upward mobility harder? If so, what is being done to change things?
A friend of mine just finished medical school, and he has $400,000 in student loans. Even though he's making some bank now, this is still a huge mountain to climb.
Let me know if you need anything as you tackle this issue.
- Joe
Ilana Welsh
ReplyDeleteProfessor Longhany
ENC 1102
January 17, 2017
Time management is something students are introduced to very early on and is emphasized throughout the course of one’s academic career. Many people keep a planner handy or use their smartphones to keep track of their obligations, yet a good amount of these people still procrastinate and leave things until the last minute. I categorize myself as one of these people, and have not yet found a real solution besides just trying to get things done earlier. However, most of us know how much easier something is said than done, and simply saying “I’ll do it earlier this time,” is not a viable resolution. Why do we tend to procrastinate so often even when we know we shouldn’t? Is there a reasonable solution that could universally work for everyone?
Hi Ilana,
DeleteYou didn't procrastinate horribly on this posting. Clearly, you did procrastinate a bit- but it could have been worse.
I want you to check out a TED talk by Tim Urban. He outlines the inner-thinking of a master procrastinator. The talk is hilarious, and it might give you some insights on where your research might begin.
Let me know if you need anything.
- Joe
Joseph Raich
ReplyDeleteProfessor Joseph Longhany
ENC 1102-0029
01/17/17
Although my parents aren't divorced I have had many friends and even adopted brothers that have shared their dreadful stories with me. Many people don't realize how tough it can be to have their parents separated. When put in this situation you are dealt with pressure as to who's side you are on or like better, constantly going from one house to another, and dealing with the situation emotionally. Yes, it may not be the parents fault for losing that love they once had for one another, nevertheless they must realize that this isn't easy for the child and should help them get through it accordingly.
Hi Joseph,
DeleteWhat pathways are available to smooth the process of divorce for kids? It seems that the answer to that question is- not many. I think you have an interesting line of inquiry here. Clearly divorce isn't going away anytime soon, and many kids will go through the turbulence of their parents' divorce. So what should be done? How can the process be less painful or at the least more bearable.
Keep me posted if you need anything.
- Joe
Adam Bass
ReplyDeleteExtra-curricular involvement in college is viewed as essential to getting the most out of your college experience. I've always been involved in extra-curricular activities, whether it was sports or clubs, and I would be interested to research how involved college students are on each campus and whether or not they think it has impacted their college experience in a positive way. Questions such as: What are ways to get involved on campus? or What resources are there to help me find a club or organization that interests me? Could be incorporated into this topic.
Looking at the ways that participation in extra-curriculars shape learning is interesting. Clearly, some of these 'extra' curricular activities end up becoming major points of positivity in people's lives. From stress reduction to social interaction, it seems that there is much to be gained.
DeleteShould extra curriculars be called extra? Are these activities more essential than people believe? Is there hidden value that sometimes goes unrecognized?
You're onto a cool topic, Adam. Should you need anything, let me know.
- Joe
Jonathan Frucht
ReplyDelete1/17 Blog Post about Inquiry
So far I have a couple of ideas for my question. The first of which is about Stereotypes. I would research and try to answer the question behind the concept of stereotypes and how they spread so easily. I would tie this into two different specializations, Body image and Greek life. The stereotypes of greek life say that everyone is in a closed group that rejects those who do not conform to their standards. For Sororities this can include issues of body image and self-images. I could also include a small section that looks at the relation of body-image and the sales of beauty or health products.
My other idea is to find out why new technology that benefits mankind is becoming harder for lower-income populations to access. I would focus on the past achievements of tech. Such as Joseph Stalks vaccine and his generosity to provide it for the world. Then i may incorporate other examples in real life or in media.
Abedullah Abdel-latif
ReplyDeleteI hear the words “Rap is just about drugs, girls, and money” more than I’d like to from many people who have a near non-existent relationship with the genre. More often than not they would claim that the music genres they listen to have deeper meaning, despite usually covering the same topics. Does the presentation of a songs story have different connotations if it was written in the style of another genre? Similarly, does the demographic the song was targeting changes how other people may view the song, even if the details stay the same. A research question on this topic could be said as “To what extent does the genre and targeted demographic of a song change the connotations placed on it by other people”
Something else that interests is me is the complex wordplay in hiphop; present in its most popular artists to more underground labels and everything in between. I find that hiphop is closer to classic literature and poetry from hundreds of years ago than any other genre of music. Research could compare the lyrics of a variety of hiphop songs to literature and poetry from the 1500s to 1800s and how hiphop is closer to an evolution of those writings than other genres of music.
A very big issue of mine is the struggle of waking up early. Every day I set my alarm at 9:00am telling myself todays the day I am going to wake up and get my day started early. But Every day when that alarm goes off I find myself hitting the snooze button over and over. In that moment I am not bothered by what I am doing because I just want to sleep, but once I do get up later I get so angry at myself wondering why I can’t just wake up. I don’t know if it’s because I feel like I don’t have anything to do in the morning or if it is because I am just lazy. This issue of waking up early effects my life because I waste so many hours a day sleeping when I could be up doing school work or almost anything else. During fall semester I tried to wake up at 9 everyday but I kept finding myself waking up at 11-12 instead. This bothers me because it’s not hard to just wake up and get your day started but for some reason I tend to just sleep my day away. It could Have something to do with me going to sleep late some nights but I feel as if I should still force myself to get up early at least 3-4 times a week.
ReplyDelete(Just got email to blog, enrolled in class late)
Something I am extremely passionate about is animal rights. A topic that I would like to research and learn more about would be how captivity impacts animal welfare.
ReplyDelete