Social Science Question

Description

For this assignment, you will use your concentrations to define your project.  For example, you might write:

“I will use my concentrations in behavioral science, computer science, and communication arts for my podcasting project on AI’s role in influencing thinking on climate change.” The concentrations form the basis for the project.

Consider the climate change theme of this course and the ‘wicked” problem it presents. Create a proposal that applies your concentrations. Specifically, you must decide what knowledge, data, methods, and approaches to analysis you might bring to bear on a project with a climate change theme.  Describe the specific aspects of climate change you are taking on and the outcomes and things you might change in your thinking, your circle of friends, or your community as a result of your project.  

Examples of possible project proposals

A public awareness campaign

A website of resources for a specific community

A curated series of artworks focused on climate change (you are the artist or you organize artists to produce the work)

• A play or graphic novel
• A podcast that takes up the issue with guests and experts
• A plan for a product that reduces carbon footprints
• A workshop that creates community awareness about a specific issue related to climate change
• A case study or solution for a particular climate-related problem.
• If you have a thought or an idea not listed here, propose it. I usually approve anything achievable within the course’s timeframe that meets all stated criteria.
• Purpose
• Interdisciplinary research is challenging because of the complex “wicked problems” that require working across disciplinary boundaries. It is often difficult to figure out where to start and what the project will eventually be. When approaching interdisciplinary work, asking simple questions about underlying causes in complex situations is critical to developing interdisciplinary skills and knowledge.

Description of Project or Topic 

Your project needs to be sufficiently complex to justify an interdisciplinary approach. In your statement on the topic, you must identify the perspectives (your concentrations) you will bring to the project.

Descriptions of your interest and the complex issue you hope to engage in should narrow the topic. Engaging in a topic means posing meaningful questions. 

List some of the questions you hope to explore. Reading for background knowledge and generating some questions during this process is advisable. Finally, give some thought to your project’s final presentation and format. 

You will submit a 1-3 page description of your topic, which includes 

1) A title

2) A description of your project, your concentrations, and specific aspects of climate change you are addressing. 

3) Questions you hope to explore 

• 4) Your connection to the topic
• 5) A brief description of your final product or presentation.  
• 6) An annotated bibliography

It is essential to begin this assignment as soon as possible.

Your annotated bibliography should have 5-10 sources. Your sources should be credible journals, periodicals, primary sources, government reports, and data sets. Avoid opinion pieces from blogs or websites that do not attribute authorship, offer references, or are not authored by established and credentialed experts. You may revise your bibliography during the semester if you find more valuable sources. 

An annotated bibliography is the alphabetical list of reference sources you used with short descriptions of the author’s perspectives and the elements (ideas) of the source you plan to integrate into your project.