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 components1. 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/solutionAsk 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