Public Affairs Research Seminar 2012

Hello All,

This week has been intense, Its already mid-November and things are getting real. I went to the writing center last week and got some help trying to structure the paper. I also got some help on trying to form the thesis. I’m still having difficulty articulating what I’m trying to say. I know what I want to say I’m just having a hard time putting it in writing and ITS THE MOST FRUSTRATING THING IN THE WORLD! I already started writing using what I have but I have to fix up my argument.

Hi everyone.

After completing the annotated bibliography assignment, I feel like I have a better grasp of my reasons and the evidence that supports those reasons. I am currently preparing some notes and looking through all of my research again in preparation for Tuesday’s presentation. I feel pretty confident so far but I still feel like I have a lot of work to complete. I wanted to begin writing my paper this weekend (so I can get a sense of where I really am, and also see if there is anything missing in my research), but it doesn’t seem possible at the moment because of a ton of other school work I have to do. But I plan to start writing my paper Tuesday night, and write 2-3 pages per day for the rest of the week (hopefully). As I mentioned before, the annotated bibliography assignment really helped a lot and I am hoping that the presentation helps me a lot as well (the reason I say this is because you need to have a really good understanding of your topic, and know the reasons and supporting evidence in order to fulfill the criteria we decided on for the presentation. In turn, that will be very beneficial when writing the paper). And as I’ve been putting in my other blog posts, this paper is intimidating but I’m pretty sure things are going to work out just fine.

Good luck on your presentations and writing your papers in the next couple of weeks.

-Rene

Since our last class I have printed out many of the sources I’ve been reading online and taking more notes. I spent most of the weekend revising my annotated bibliography adding parts which were missing. I am still working on my detailed outline. At this point I feel like it would be much easier to start my paper having a detailed outline to guide my writing and to keep me organized. I spoke to Professor Kafka and she made showed me that my argument assignment can be used as a base for my detailed outline by simply adding whatever additional evidence I have to my  and build on it from there. That’s where I am at! See you in class.
-Maggie

Hi All,

So, as many of you have done, I am finding a lot of information for my annotated bibliography.  However, I am running into some trouble with the evidence for my claims.  My claim of Broken Windows being used as a tool to marginalize, and incarcerate minority communities has led me to information that approaches the sociological realm.  The question I have is: how can I substantiate a sociological truth without 1.  having quantitative data other than high rates of incarceration (the cause/effect connection is blurry), or 2. without generating raw data of my own?

Hope everyone voted last week!  See you tomorrow.

-Celeste

I have been challenging with rethinking my argument to better understand and come to grasp essentially what is that I want to demonstrate throughout my research paper. Ultimately it comes down to demonstrating that vocational programs are capable and have demonstrated an increase in transfer rates to four-year colleges. In working to demonstrate this concept throughout my research, I have come across the evolving role of community colleges and the programs that have slowly shaped the colleges’ mission and are very much reflective of the times, a diverse population and currently a national call toward increasing the number of students in higher education. Community colleges have embraced the call and vocational programs have undergone changes in function, embracing a transfer focus while preparing students both professionally and academically. It is interesting to note that ‘multiple pathways’ toward the workforce are being studied and have been implemented in the launch of the Pathways to Prosperity project, which offers high school students an opportunity to position themselves with the middle skill job market. Thus alternatives routes to the to bachelor pathway are being considered and vocational programs are mainly proposed to advance such objectives but innovative approaches and development with vocational programs has demonstrates an increases in expectation, engagement and transfer rates within community colleges. The focus of my argument is to demonstrate that vocational programs are conducive to transfer and meanwhile workforce development has been an integral component of these programs, it does not solely define the capacity of the program, which has expanded a transfer focus and has demonstrated proven success.

Hi everyone,

So, like all of you, I’ve been working on my annotated bibliography. I’ve found some very good sources so this assignment has been a successful one. Last week, I was having problems finding sources and have changed the keywords that I’ve searched.

I was having trouble finding articles on preventive care. I should have been searching the words “universal health care,” “universal,” “Canada,” and other more general terms. So far, this is working out very well.

– Matt

Hello All,

So this week has been extremely hectic for me.   After re-examining my argument assignment I realized it was totally disorganized and many of my reasons were not properly backed up by the evidence I presented.  Im taking some time to re-read my sources and search for outside sources to help formulate a better argument. I am hoping that once this stage is complete some of my anxiety about writing this paper will subside. The realization is now kicking in, whether I will be about to find enough information to write a substantial twenty page paper. Is any one else feeling like this?

See you all tomorrow.