WA3: Economic Research Proposal
AS the weeks have passd within the c lass, I have found myself repeatedly drawn to the subject of economics. As stated in Beverly Moss”s essay Ethnography and Composition, one frequently can conduct a through fieldworking process when the culture is one the ethnographer is interested in or is currently a part of. Because I plan to double major in Economics, I have consistently approached the subject in the majority of the research journals assigned. While most tend to see the literacy and the artifacts, I am mostly concerned with human interaction and how it has helped evolve technology and social interactions within choices, which at bottom is what economics is all about.
After the meeting with Dr. Carter, I have found numerous statements and questions residing with the separation of generations. Today, there seems to be both agreement and disagreement into how generations see each other. Numerous adults view the current generation as one of laziness and interdependence. To them, economic responsibility is called into question and there are perspectives focusing on the lack of motivation of today’s population, particularly current academic students. Some say we rely too much on other people to fulfill our needs and that the traditional school systems were more effective at teaching, not just school subjects, but character, hard work, and tradition. However, there are some adults (examples of which can be found in Resnick and Yancey’s findings) indicate that maybe the past generation is failing to acknowledge the difference economic circumstances and methodologies of the age. Maybe the current generation’s methods of learning are more fitting to the modern age. Older generations can try to acknowledge our differences and appreciate new conceptualizations of learning, whatever they may be.
Through my research project, I plan to focus on the questions of economic responsibility and how its views have changed through the ages. How does the method of teaching nad learning differ now than in the 20′s, 30′s, and any other time period of Texas A&M Commerce (once known as East Texas Normal College)? How do past students and teachers view the methodologies and technology of the current generation, and vice versa? What are the personal views and beliefs of the local community focusing on current economic systems and the impact at the micro level? How do people view the economic periods of older and younger individuals? All these questions will hopefully answer the question of economic independence and how it has changed or been modified over time. Hopefully, through this research project, I can better understand how economics develop (especially local) and the implications it can have on the individual players. In the long run, maybe I can use this information to further my understanding of human behavior, and maybe, help me in my career as a possible future economist/analyst.
To get a better insight and concept of the environment of past years, I plan to use some oral histories located within the archives of the university. The histories of JW Jackson and Mary Bowman used in ‘Research Journal 7′ will prove to be of some assistance. Both offer insight into the teaching methods and views of East Texas Normal College. The maps involved show the school developing and I can hopefully get data from the library as to what the schools deemed important for students and how it is reflected geographically.
Obviously, oral histories are important for research of the psat as they’re might not be a lot of psat generations still living within the local community. However, Dr. Carter has informed me of a memoir writing group of past alumni that are meeting various days next week. I hopefully can conduct personal interviews with each one and get access to any materials they have already published. Because so much of my research proposal is dependent on personal viewpoints, most of my research will come through fieldnotes and face-to-face interviews. Students and teachers currently on campus can serve as fodder. This is not to indicate that local residents in the surrounding area will not be exempt. Since economics is close to politics nowadays, I might want to pay attention to online think tanks of various viewpoints and their demographics.
The personal interviews will have to be conducted in a particular way. First off, I plan to present myself in a kind and courteous matter to potential subjects. I must come off as curious and interested, but not overbearing so as to scare off informants. The hardest part for me will be letting go of how I view current and older generations so as to not get in the way of my research. Ethnography must be about the people/culture and the hypothesis formed around what they say. As the story Mamma Day shows, coordinating a literary discussion with others is hard when one’s own vision separates the observer from the observed. Honesty must go a long way and I plan to be upfront about the purpose of my interviews. I will tell them that the interviews serves as part of an English assignment for the further literacy discussions on campus. The permission slips shown will tell the interviewee the class, the teacher, the pr0ject, its purpose, and how the information shared will be used. I will not force a deadline. If the subject can’t decide in time, I will move on to other potentials. I will not force a deadline. If the subject can’t decide in time, I will move on to other potentials. I will not force others to talk to me; it will be of their own volition. Aliases and hidden identities can be used if subject is not comfortable being acknowledged. All drafts for the ethnographic report will be shown to the observers before being presented. All interviews will be handwritten, with tape recorder being used if given permission. Most will come from students and teachers. In addition to interviews and any oral histories within the archives, I will also conduct important fieldnotes on the local population. This can include the home lives of residents, the studying habits of students, the methodologies and strategies of teachers within a classroom environment, and so on. With the classroom environments, it might prove difficult if teacher is not willing to give permission. If not, I will make do with various views from the students themselves.
I hope that my project will contribute to both the Commerce Writes Research Project and the scholarly community by seeing the personal lives of human beings nad how the current economic age affects those involved. Economics is such an important subject because it explains human behavior within a social context, which at bottom is what any field of academia is about, people. Economics affects all humans because it is humanity. Our choices and decisions of local communities combine to affect the policies of a country as a whole. It enables us to understand the evolution of history and literacy in all forms (informational, personal, etc.). With scholars, it can offer a way of thinking about the world to make the best of what we have. I hope that this project can offer people new perspectives on generation gaps and how people are different, and maybe, not so different from each other.
