1a. Potential Topic for research paper
1b. Why does this topic interest you?
1c. How does this topic relate somehow to The Wire?
1d. What are 10 questions about this topic that you'll need to know the answers to if you choose to research it?
2a-2d. Repeat for a second topic
3a-3d. Repeat for a third topic.
I will be making some concrete determinations about the research paper, but it's looking like something in the ballpark of 1500-2000 words & 10-15 cited sources. We will begin with a proposal (150-250 words, 7-10 source bibliography) and personal conference. Proposal will likely be due around April 20th. Final draft will be due around May 8th.
Late Night Note: In case I forget tomorrow. I notice that most of the topics people are choosing are related to social problems and very often social science methodologies. This follows naturally from a connection to The Wire and is wonderful, but I want to emphasize that since this is a humanities section of 302, there are many topics related to art, culture, literature, history, philosophy, etc. etc. that could also be thematically related to The Wire. So don't feel that you are compelled to write about something you don't want to.
Pet Peeve: I have been seeing this in many of the recent essays. "In Lynne Viti's article, "Lawyering and Ethics," she argues that..." This is redundant. In "Lawyering and Ethics," Lynne Viti argues that... Or, Lynne Viti's article "Lawyering and Ethics" argues that...
[Rachel Semenov]
ReplyDeleteIs the internet inherently democratic & Can it bring democracy to un-democratic nations?
-I am interested in this because I realize that my ability to use the internet allows for free-flowing information and communication. Exploring the relationship that this has with my perception of the government is extremely relevent.
-This pertains to The Wire because in the show, the most crucial information was unveiled through technology. It was only through wire taps, internet, cell phones, etc. that the detectives were able to uncover large scale crime and corruption.
1. Which countries don’t have the internet?
2. How does the government control the internet/technology in the US?
3. How does the government control the internet/technology in other countries?
4. Have recent revolutions (Egypt, Libya, etc) been attributed to the internet/technology?
5. Do democratic countries make an effort to use technology to ‘convert’ non-democratic nations?
6. Are dictatorships afraid of the internet/technology?
7. What sort of information on the internet would spark interest in democracy?
8. Is blogging democratic? Reddit? Facebook? Youtube? Cell phones?
9. Can technology be inherently political?
10. What aspects of technology would make it democratic?
Standardized tests and their relationship to actual learning.
-I am interested in this because with the implementation of No Child Left Behind, schools are seeing increased pressure to meet score goals. However, in my experience as a student, this has never been an effective way of teaching/learning. I’m interesting in knowing whether or not these standardized tests are actually doing anything to help children learn.
-This relates to The Wire because the fourth season was focused on how the school systems have let down their students. Prezbo was often found frustrated with having to teach to the test so the school’s scores would improve, thus making it appear that the students are learning more. But, as we know from watching all of The Wire, this is just “juking the stats” and has nothing to do with actual improvement.
1. Have scores improved since the implementation of No Child Left Behind?
2. Do teachers see the benefit of standardized testing?
3. Do teachers see the benefit of teaching for the standardized tests?
4. Have students scores outside of standardized tests improved?
5. Is class time being taken away from regular subjects to teach for the tests?
6. What brought about the need for No Child Left Behind/standardized testing?
7. Do other leading countries have similar testing standards?
8. Has it always been the expectation that teachers ‘teach to the test’?
9. Have standardized tests truly improved education in states like West Virginia or Michigan?
10. Is there political motivation for improving scores through the use of standardized testing?
11. Are standardized test scores expected to improve each year? Are they ‘allowed’ to drop?
[Rachel Semenov]
ReplyDeleteShould inefficient, dying industries be saved by the government for the sake of the workers?
-I am interested in this mostly because of The Wire and because of the current problems with job-layoffs/outsourcing that the United States has experienced recently. At one time we employed huge numbers of people for production purposes. Now, with mechanized processes or cheap overseas labor, we are seeing some industries die or be transformed. The workers are left without jobs.
-This is related to season two of The Wire, in which we follow the lives of dock workers in Baltimore. New technology has made human power all-but unnecessary for the shipping industry, which made the dock-workers’ union demand a safety net for the employees. When the shipping industry inevitably becomes mechanized, all those men would be out of work. But the errors produced by human labor may necessitate this change.
1. Which industries are dying/needing dramatically less workers?
2. Which areas in the United States are dependant on a certain industry? (i.e. Michigan)
3. What amount of human-error is eliminated when an industry is mechanized/out-sourced?
4. Do people oppose mechanization or outsourcing of labor more?
5. Does the government care to save industries that are antiquated?
6. Who does care to save antiquated industries? Only the workers?
7. Is there a relationship between the mechanization/outsourcing of labor and environmental problems?
8. Should mechanization and outsourcing of labor be examined separately?
9. How many jobs have mechanization/outsourcing eliminated in the US?
10. Does the US lose or make money after an industry is largely mechanized/outsourced?
11. Are there similar situations in other countries? Which industries?
12. Where do we outsource to?
13. Are those who lose their jobs taken care of by the industry?
[Rachel Klein]
ReplyDelete2 Potential Research Topics
Topic: inner city education (Boston)
-I am interested in this because I live in an inner city and witness the lack of supportive education so many children receive in the Boston school system and I am interested in becoming a school teacher myself.
-This relates to The Wire because all of season 4 is dedicated to four young boys in the Baltimore school system.
10 questions about the topic you will need to answer…
1.How is the curriculum developed?
2.What is the passing rate of students to the next grade?
3.How many students are reading and writing on grade/age level?
4.What are the qualifications of a school teacher?
5.What are the strategies in place to support slower learning students?
6.Is there a way to offer support to the learning challenged students while continuing to challenge the students who are not?
7.How can the classroom support students who deal with severe trauma in their life?
8.What are the primary goals of the classroom? Test scores or education?
9.How can the school system encourage students to stay in school and to value education?
10.How can the school system really work for kids in the inner city?
11.Has there been any new strategies implemented recently in the school system? If so what are they?
Topic: providing financial support for a family through drug trafficking
-I am interested in this because I know a different side to drug trafficking and think it is important that it gets heard.
-This relates to The Wire because the entire series is surrounding the drug world and it particularly relates to Michael, as he is the sole supporter of him and his brother.
10 questions about the topic you will need to answer…
1.Is this a realistic reason to enter the drug trade?
2.At what age are some kids forced to be the sole financial supporter of their family?
3.What other options are there for kids to receive a substantial amount of money a month to keep food on the table and the bills paid?
4.Once immersed in the game is there a way out or does the money become addictive?
5.What is the background of kids who start their careers early in the drug game?
6.Is there a way to stay in school and still support one’s family?
7.What are some reasons the parents are not able to bring in any money?
8.How do the parents feel about their children entering the drug game in order to support them and the family?
9.How many kids does this describe?
10.Is it typically boys as seen in The Wire that are forced to support the family or does gender play no role?
[Monica Garney]
ReplyDelete1. Family influence on criminal behavior
-This relates to the The Wire because a lot of drug trafficking was done within families. The leadership passes down between family members and children. Namond's mom making him do drug trafficking because his dad, Wee-Bey, was a main part of the Barksdale drug dealing organization.
-10 questions about the topic you need to answer:
1- What are some real life examples?
2- Does family influence have a direct effect on criminal behavior?
3- Or does family influence have nothing to do with criminal behavior of a child?
4- Are there any psychological or socialistic reason behind criminal behavior?
5- Where does criminal behavior come from?
6- Even if a family does not have any sort of criminal background, why does a child become wrapped up in such lifestyles?
7- Do children feel like they have to have such behavior because their family is a part of it?
2. Different Teaching Styles within inner city schools productive or not
-this relates to The Wire from season 4. Prez tries to adapt to the flaws of the school system and tries different ways to help his students learn in a more interesting way. Also Howard 'Bunny' Colvin's special class to help mediate and look at a young group of students to look at repeat violent offenders.
-10 questions about the topic you need to answer:
1- What teaching styles are being used in inner city schools
2- Are the teaching styles that are being used productive?
3- Why does some teaching styles work/not work
4- Does the special teaching styles help students later on in life?
5- Why do inner city schools need different teaching styles?
6- Or do inner city schools not need them at all?
7- What inner city schools are using different teaching styles?
3. Legal and Ethical dimensions of wiretaps/surveillance
-This relates to the wire because the entire show is based on and began with a wiretap following a drug trade.
-10 questions about the topic you need to answer:
1- What are the legal laws about wiretaps/surveillance
2- Why must we use wiretaps/surveillance
3- Are they even beneficial towards a case?
4- Are they considered reliable evidence within court?
5- Why some might think it is unethical to have wiretaps/surveillance
6- What are reasons that we must use surveillance?
7- How does one set up wiretaps?
[Erin Wright]
ReplyDeleteTopic 1: I am interested in the effects of school uniforms on lower income students because of the belief that they are an equalizer and will help prevent violence in schools. This topic relates to The Wire because the students in season 4 were required to wear a school uniform which we saw Namond Brice rebel against.
1. Do school uniforms serve as an equalizer of lower and higher income students?
2. Can school uniforms help prevent violence in schools?
3. Does it help prevent behavioral problems to stifle a student's personality and the way they choose to express themselves through style?
4. Do school uniforms effect student's attendance?
5. Is it enough to restrict students from wearing certain brands, or should schools assign
specific outfits that students are required to wear?
6. Is it right for public schools to require uniforms of low income families or should uniforms be restricted to private schools?
7. Can the same safety and behavioral issues be addressed with a simple dress code?
8. At what age do school uniforms become effective or ineffective?
9. Should schools only ban weapon and gang related articles of clothing such as studded/spiked belts and bandannas?
10. Should hair style/length/color be included in uniform policies?
Topic 2: I am interested in the topic of profiling students because of the possibility of setting students up for violence as opposed to its prevention. This relates to The Wire season 4 because it can be suggested that Namond and the other students in the "special" class were profiled for their behavior.
1. What are the standards for profiling students?
2. Is it any more ethical to profile a student in school than to profile a criminal on the street?
3. Does profiling unjustly perpetuate stereotypes?
4. Does profiling lead students to believe themselves to be violent or bad?
5. Do the results of high-stakes tests lead to profiling?
6. Is profiling setting students up for misbehavior?
7. Who is allowed to make judgments based on profiling?
8. Can zero-tolerance policies be considered a form of protection or profiling?
9. What should be done with students who fit the violent profile?
10. Should profiling be limited to identifying violent students or can it also be used to identify disruptive or students with behavioral problems?
Olivia Stockmann
ReplyDelete3 potential research topics:
1. Corruption in police dept. institutions
2. Homosexuality’s acceptance in drug trafficking (?), street life (?), a man’s world (?)
3. Icons of success from illegal activities.
Corruption in Police Departments in Fairfax County, VA
I am interested in this because I live in Fairfax County and have friends who have come in direct contact with the Fairfax County Police on both sides (from within and from without) and want to know more about whether it is only personal experiences that make me think they cannot be the best/have the most integrity or if I am justified in my opinion.
This relates to The Wire because the entire show was about how the major institutions of a city, including the police department, have major flaws that the public is not always aware of. It also followed the lack of moral integrity in superiors within the department.
10 questions (in the past 50 yrs)
1. Is there more proven corruption in the hierarchy of the institution?
2. Because Fairfax county is one of the richest in the USA, does that have a direct impact on integrity/corruption possibilities of Fairfax County Police?
3. Corruption where? in money spending, in treatment of suspects/criminals/pedestrians etc.., in use of authority
4. What kind of research can be done on that? how much is just biased reporting?
5. Who has personal experience dealing with Fairfax County Police and a different county and can compare the two?
6. What qualifies corruption in such an institution?
7. Doing job well: does that mean one type of policing favored over another?
8. Who does the favoring of types of policing? Who is the public to say what is brutality and what is measured force when they have undergone no training?
9. Are crime rates lower or higher proportionally in Fairfax County than other counties that are rich? or poor?
10. When corruption pointed out, is it fixed or hidden?
Is homosexuality accepted in drug trafficking (?), street life (?), a man’s world (?)
I want to do this topic because I have some experience with drug trafficking and in today’s day and age, homosexuality is said to be more accepted, but I don’t think it really is. I think that homosexuality is less respected than whoring, even though it is definitely more respected than snitching.
This relates to Omar’s character in The Wire. He was respected as a thief, people did what he said and were in general fear of his arrival anywhere. Yes, they called him a ‘faggot’ and despised him, but it seemed to be that way because of his occupation and less because of his sexual orientation. Does not seem realistic that ANY form of acceptance of homosexuality in such a ‘man’s world’ of drug trafficking/street life.
10 questions (in the past 50 yrs)
1. Who has done research on something like this? (is there really an credible information about this out there?)
2. Is homosexuality accepted in different settings like suburban, urban, rural, etc...?
3. Is homosexuality something people don’t respect or is it something they fear?
4. Homophobia consists of what?
5. Does homosexuality make a man equivalent to a woman? (therefore taking on the stereotypical ‘weak, stupid, negative characteristics’ of a woman)
6. Closeness developed by members of a drug trafficking gang, does this cause homophobia to take on new meaning? How ‘close’ do they actually get?
7. Is homophobia exaggerated in a ‘street’ setting?
8. Are there any cases of a successful, known homosexual drug dealer, thug, so on?
9. Does age affect acceptance or nonacceptance of homosexuality ? in street life? in suburban, rural, urban life?
10. Does race affect acceptance or nonacceptance of homosexuality?
11. Does location affect acceptance or nonacceptance?
12. Difference between respect and acceptance?
[Olivia Stockmann]
ReplyDeleteSymbols of success from illegal activities
I find this interesting because I feel like the icons of success have changed over time. Now it seems that jerseys and sneakers are symbols of success/money/’coolness’, cars and houses are secondary. Usually associated with ‘street’ things, people who do illegal activities frequently.
Relates to The Wire because in order for characters to find who was stealing money, they looked at clothes, jewelry, not cars or places living. Also, when money was given/found/earned, the characters who trafficked in drugs were seen spending it on appearances that didn’t make them look sophisticated like Armani suits or whatever, whereas when cops came into money, they spent it on nice restaurants or other material things
10 questions
1. Who has done research on this?
2. Is clothing trend relative to drug trafficking at all?
3. Why is clothing the new symbol of success before cars and houses?
4. Is it about appearances or quality of product?
5. Why does it matter?
6. Who best exemplifies this? celebrities, normal people, drug dealers, etc..
7. Jewelry on men, is it masculine recently or since always? Why is it acceptable for chains and rings on men, but not other types of necklaces and bracelets?
8. Is this a racial thing? Is it more masculine for black men to have interest in clothing than for white men?
9. Why are shoes so important, more than pants or shirts? same with jackets? (outer shells/protection articles of clothing, is there symbolism in that?)
10. uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmm
[Stevens]
ReplyDelete-It blows my mind that older siblings have to care of younger siblings because of the absence of parents or simply because parents do not care. These children have to take on a leadership role of being a parent.
-This specific child behavior relates to The Wire because we see an example of it when Michael is left to care of his younger sibling, Bug.
1. How many siblings are left to take of their younger siblings?
2. How does it psychologically affect the both the older sibling (caregiver) and the young siblings?
3. Are these children more than likely going to follow in their parent’s footsteps and abandon their children?
4. Is there a specific population that is prone to this child behavior?
5. What economically has changed that has made this behavior more popular over the years?
6. Do television shows like The Wire influence children to want to act like this?
7. What help is out there for children that are left without parental figures?
8. Why do parents leave their children?
9. Is this behavior going to increase/decrease in the years to come?
10. What can we do as a population to keep this situation from happening?
[Nina Peji]
ReplyDeleteTopic:
1. The effects of drug related violcence on the prostituiton of women
2. Role of women in drug-related crime
3. The lives of children in low socio-economic neighborhoods (ghettos)
Interest:
Topic 1: I’m interested in this topic because I want to study the different behvioral and psychological side effects women suffer whent they advertise sex for drugs.
Topic 2: I’m interested in this topic because I didn’t realize that women could play leading role in the drug-game. I didn’t think the drug-game was sexist to some extent.
Topic 3: I’m interested in this topuc because I want to see how realistic The Wire was in capturing the life styles of children rasied in the ghetto; did Smon exaggerate the amount of violence occuring in these areas [ghettos] or was he fairly accurate?
Relation to The Wire:
Topic 1: How drugs effect the livelihood of women in The Wire? [stripper in season 1]
Topic 2: Where in The Wire do we see women playing a significant role
Topic 3: The differerent roles children play in The Wire [soldiers to drug game]
10 Questions:
Topic 1:
-What psychological side effects women suffer being involved in the drug-game?
-Which drugs are women who engage in prostitution most addcited to?
-Where is prostitution for dugs most popular; what areas [countries, most popular area in U.S.]
-How young do women start prostituting for drugs?
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Topic 2:
-Why do women play a significant role in drug-related crime? How?
-Do women play a stronger role than men do?
-What different roles do women play within the drug-game?
[Haley Moyers]
ReplyDelete3 Potential Research Topics
1st Potential Research Topic:
The effect of drug addiction and the drug game on the individual and their family.- This relates to The Wire becasue we see how certain characters struggle with drug addiction and how it breaks up certain relationships they have.
10 Questions
1. Where have we seen effects on an individual and their family in seasons of The Wire?
2. What are statistics on families living with a drug addict?
3. What are certain characteristics and behaviors of a drug addict?
4. Do they have guilt for what they are doing and how they are hurting their family?
5.Besides buying and using drugs, what illegal activities do drug addicts take part in, in order to obtain their drugs?
6. What medical problems do drug addicts face by putting their life on the line?
7. What should drug addicts do if they want to seek treatment in order to get better but don't have insurance?
8. What is the success rate of drug addicts who attend treatement?
9.If a drug addict is neglecting their spouse or family, what is the best plan for the family to take action?
10.The melodrama of The Wire shos how the drug game works in a certain light. How does real life drug addicts and the drug game operate and is it similar?
I am interested in this topic because I have had real life experience with a drug addict in my family. I want to be able to relate to my topic in some way in order to achieve a successful Research Paper.
2nd Potential Research Topic:
How children are used in The Wire for the drug game and how this relates to the real world?
10 Questions
1. What are the main dangers for children involved in the drug game in The Wire?
2. What causes children to be introduced to the drug game?
3. What are the statistics for children involved in the drug game in our nation and internationally?
4. What are certain statistics for children involved with drug related activites?
5. How do we see characters effected by children involved in the drug game in The Wire?
6. Why are children not influenced in The Wire to stay away from the drug game and particpate in other extracurricular activities?
7.What are the certain negative impacts that children face when involved in the drug game>
8. What areas of the nation have a heavy influence of children involved in the drug game?
9.What are the risks and disadvantages of drug traffiking for children?
10.How can children be prevented from being subjected to the drug game that they are surrounded by?
AMANDA ANNATONE
ReplyDeleteResearch Ideas...
Topic 1: Teachers teaching in the lower income areas and the resources available to them.
Related to The Wire: Season 4 is all about the low income school in Baltimore and how the teachers do no have that many resources.
Questions:
a) How much support do the teachers receive from the school themselves?
b) How much support does the local and state give to the teachers?
c) Is the lack of support and resources in the classroom affecting the students?
d) How much do the teachers have to pay out of pocket to supply the necessities?
e) Are the necessities even covered?
f) Is there anything happening to fix this problem?
g) Do teachers in these areas receive less salary?
h) How many schools are struggling due to the lack of resources?
i) Are students graduating and being successful in their lives?
j) What kind of relationship do the teachers in these areas form vs the other public schools in the area who get more resources?
Topic 2: Bullying in public schools.
Relating to The Wire: All throughout the seasons the children have been peer pressured and bullied into things they do not want to do like killing a friend.
Questions:
a) How does peer pressure affect the students in schools?
b) Would dress codes help stop some bullying?
c) What are the schools doing to help these students?
d) What are the punishments for those who bully and are they carried out?
e) What kind of psychological affect does this have on the students who are bullied?
f) Why would a student want to bully someone...how does it get so bad?
g) Is there help at the schools for these troubled students?
h) How much is peer pressure affected on the students decision?
i) Can teachers get involved and help?
j) Is the government creating help for these cases and to help stop them?
[Danya Foreman]
ReplyDelete1) I’m interested in the topic of the unconscious mind and our unconscious habits and automatic reactions/thoughts towards races, religions and places (like Inner City or suburbia). It relates to The Wire because of all the racial slurs that are found in the show when characters talk and how characters are viewed from a distance by other characters.
I) What is the history of Unconscious Mind? (This might be broad now and in the research paper because I can’t spend that much time discussing the idea and all the psychologists that used it and how they affected it. But I believe it is important to at least put a general history of the topic into the paper.)
II) How does this work into our daily lives? (Why do some of us cross the street when we see a big black man coming [my mom] but not a big white guy? Is it really 9/11 that gave Americans a fear/hate of Muslims [generalization]? etc)
III) How does this work itself into The Wire?
IV) Does the Unconscious Mind play into police/detective work and the judicial system? (Are people wrongly convicted because of their race or place of residence? Do police target certain neighborhoods and people? This might be really broad or could be a research project all in itself so maybe this is not a good question because of the intricacies...Thoughts?)
V) What does the Implicit Association Test (IAT) really measure?
VI) What have we learned as a society from IAT?
VII) Is there a way to change our unconscious mind and how we automatically react to situations and people?
VIII) What’s the modern view of this? (How to books like Blink or The Power of Your Unconscious Mind [a book I just googled] purpose to change or challenge our views of this?)
IX) Do these unconscious ideas/stereotypes/thoughts change from generation to generation?
X) What can I contribute to this discussion?
2) I’m interested in drug intervention and suicide prevention organizations. This relates to The Wire because of Bubbles’ struggle to stay clean and the risk of suicide that many drug-addicts struggle with while staying clean.
I) What are some of the major organizations that deal with this?
II) How do these organizations strive to prevent these problems or help people with addictions/desires?
III) Are these problems that are curable?
IV) How do these organizations reach people in both suburbs and lower income areas?
V) Where are these problems rampant?
VI) What are some of the major problems in helping these people?
VII) Are the organizations non-profit? Why or why not?
VIII) How do people become involved in reaching people or support the organizations?
IX) What are the perceptions of those who reach out to these organizations?
X) What can I contribute to this discussion?
3) I’m also really interested in the creative writing project that you have mentioned. Maybe writing a treatment for a California version of The Wire centered in San Bernadino County. What do you need to know about that?
[Shelby Cohen]
ReplyDelete3 Potential Research Topics-
1. Elephant smuggling/trafficking
I am interested in this because, simply, elephants are my favorite animal. I'm not an extremist PETA member or anything, but I am interested in animal rights. Mason is hosting the Ringling Brothers circus and I came across information about the cruel treatment of circus elephants and where they originate.
This relates to The Wire because it can relate to the supply and demand of drugs (more on the supply side). Where there is a demand for something, someone is always going to supply. It can also relate to the drug smuggling via ports in Baltimore or any city. It's not like elephants can be flown around the country, so they must be shipped via boats.
10 questions
1.Where are elephants from (where smuggled from)
2. Uses for elephant smuggling (circus?, pets?, meat, skin, etc.) aka where is the demand
3. monetary gain for elephant smugglers – aka benefits to being the supply
4. how smuggled?... probably via boats but how exactly are they captured? Are they raised or just kidnapped?
5. laws surrounding animal smuggling, specifically elephants.. into U.S.
6. how many elephants smuggled/year in U.S., or how many captured/year, killed/year, etc
7. problems with poaching
8. endangerment of elephants
9. treatment of elephants while in smugglers hands, or circus hands, etc
10. smuggling of drugs—almost same questions as elephants – where do they originate from, how shipped, where do they enter, etc.
2. Homosexuality in Low Income Cultures
I am interested in this because the topic of homosexuality and equal rights for homosexuals has been prevalent in society, politics, etc. I’ve never really thought about how coming out might differ among socioeconomic backgrounds.
This relates to The Wire because because of Omar. He is a homosexual of low socioeconomic status.
On the Down Low
[Hannah Powers]
ReplyDeletePolice Brutality
I am interested in this topic because when watching The Wire, I was shocked with the amount of police brutality, and how intense it was. I felt sympathy for the victims of police brutality on the show and realized I haven’t learned much about it at all.
It is a common issue on The Wire, important in that it both causes extreme setbacks for the police units, but also in that it ruins the police-community relationship, making it harder to get the community to cooperate when solving cases.
How common is police brutality?
What is the first reported case of it?
What is the worst reported case?
Why do police snap and commit acts of brutality?
What punishments exist for police that commit brutality?
Is there any post-incident help for victims of police brutality?
Do police training courses cover police brutality?
What is the role of policeman who are standing by during an incident of police brutality?
How can it be stopped?
What is the most common form of police brutality?
Witness Protection/ Protecting those who help inform the police force in D.C.
I am interested in this topic because I actually found myself getting upset on how negligent Herc and Carver were in dealing cases with Bubbles and Randy. I was upset by the complete disregard that the police force had for their informants.
This phenomenon happened a lot on The Wire and seemed to play a large role in the unfolding of the cases.
How effective are the protection programs currently running?
Is it beneficial to the case to protect those who are informants?
What is the main threat to informants?
How common is it for an informant to be hurt/killed?
To what degree to police protect their informants/ witnesses?
Generally, do police units have the resources to fully protect their witnesses/ informants?
What does it take to protect informants/ witnesses?
Does every informant/ witness need protection?
Do witnesses / informants have to pay for protection?
How important do police units consider witness/informant protection to be?
What happens with witnesses who resist protection but need it?
How common is that problem?
[Meghan Holmes]
ReplyDelete3 Potential Research Topics
1. Tracking Programs in School Systems
1. I am interested in this because I would like to better understand how the school systems in this country are trying to keep their children “up to par” with with their studies and how they are perhaps motivating them through different means than they are using with other students.
2. This relates to “The Wire” because season four dealt with a type of social tracking program trying to socialize kids back into regular classes to help them become more motivated about their school work and overall education.
3. 10 questions about the topic that you will need to answer
1. What type of tracking programs exist?
2. How many tracking programs are currently going on in this country’s educational system?
3. What are some of the opinions that teachers have on tracking programs?
4. What are some of the opinions that students have on tracking programs?
5. Is there any correlation between tracking programs and attendance in schools?
6. Is there any correlation between grades and tracking programs?
7. Was there an exact reason why tracking programs began? If yes, when, where, and why?
8. Where are most tracking programs found? Is there a relation to specific area the school system is located in?(inner-city vs suburb vs rural area)
9. In “The Wire,” the social tracking program was based on a sociologist's own study and research, have any tracking programs actually been started in this way?
10. Why were tracking programs ended?
2. Correlation between graduation rate and drug trafficking in a particular area
1. I am interested in this topic because because I have a strong intuition that in areas where drug crime is high the graduation rate is low, however I feel that I may find out more of a contradiction to my thought because of the problem in defining what graduation is.
2. This relates to “The Wire” because of season four’s focus on the school system and the trouble many of the young men found in trying to get an education but also find their way in the drug world
3. 10 questions about the topic I will need to answer
1. How exactly is graduation rate measured or defined?
2. How does social promotion work?
3. What is the ratio to students who actually pass grade levels to those who are socially promoted?
4. After graduating, if they do, how many of these students end up finding legitimate jobs or furthering their education?
5. What motivates school systems to graduate their students? Their ranking among other school? Funding?
6. Where are graduation rates lowest in this country?
7. In what cities are drugs most heavily affecting young adults?
8. What is the average age, that kids become involved with drugs in these areas?
9. What is the relationship to the resources schools can offer their students and graduation rates? computers, textbooks?
10. What seems to hinder those students living in a generally drug free area as opposed to the drugs that hinder those in a heavily drug dominated dominated inner-city? Do some of the same things hinder both groups of students?
[Meghan Holmes]
ReplyDelete3. Methods and Funding for the treatment of addicts in areas that are heavily affected by illegal substances (drugs, alcohol) vs. funding for treatment of addicts in areas where substance abuse is few and far between
1. I am interested in this because I have a suspicion that the facilities (most likely located in the inner-city environment where drugs are heavily marketed) that perhaps need the most funding for the treatment of addicts do not get the proper government or private funding for treating addiction properly. I am also interested in the methods used because I think that there may be a better method to treat, lets say someone who is homeless in a city where there are constantly around drugs, versus someone who can go home to a safe environment and rarely have to be subjected to illegal substances.
2. This relates to “The Wire” because of the fact that it is about drugs and there were many characters we met throughout the series that deal with addiction. Bubs was the most obvious, but there were many others, for example Micheal’s mother.
3. 10 questions that I will need to answer
1. Are
[Sarah Werner]
ReplyDeletePotential Research Topics
1a. Females on the Police Force - This is the topic I would really prefer to do.
1b. I am curious about how women are doing in major police departments.
1c. This relates to The Wire because Kima Greggs appears to be the only female
detective in the Baltimore City Police Department.
1d. 10 questions about the topic that I will need to answer:
1. What is the current ratio of men to women in the police department?
2. Do women tend to migrate to certain positions?
3. If so, why?
4. Do women tend to leave the police force more frequently than men?
5. If so, why?
6. Are there any impediments to women joining the police force, like physical
requirements?
7. Are there types of police work that women are better suited for than men?
8. Are police departments taking active steps to increase the number of female
officers?
9. Are women in significant leadership roles?
10. What were the historic percentages of female police officers looking back over
the last 30-40 years?
2a. Poor School Systems in Major Cities
2b. Our country will only be as good as the education it provides its citizens.
2c. This relates to The Wire’s fourth season, which focuses on the sorry state of
the Baltimore City schools.
2d. 10 questions about the topic that I will need to answer:
1. What cities have good school systems?
2. What cities have poor school systems?
3. How do you measure the quality of your school system?
4. What is the ethnic/racial mix of your students?
5. How is discipline maintained?
6. What is your average class size?
7. What percentage of students go on to college?
8. Is there a lot of turnover in your teacher workforce?
9. Do you have special programs for gifted/talented students?
10. What percentage of your students come from disadvantaged
(single parent, ESL, below poverty line) backgrounds?
The outlawing of art by Nazi's in 1930's Germany.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in this subject because I am history major and an art minor. Also because it draws parallels to the political power of art and its strong influence on a society. During this time period art was becoming more expressive and it was influencing a large populous as to what "reality" really was? Expressionism art, such as dadaism and realism, was a new form of art that was questioning the society in which people lived. The Nazi party knew that this art combated its view of power because it went against the power they had. This relates to The Wire because it parallels to organized drugs in Baltimore city, and how it was a way of life that was and is combating the rules and regulations that society presents.
What were the motives of artists?
What did Nazis do to the art?
What were the motives of drug dealers?
How to combat the contrasting expression?
What and how do police really view the drug and organized crime in Baltimore?
How did the Nazis view art and expressionism?
Why were these ideas influential on society?
Why did people go against the power?
What was the end result?
Will the war on drugs ever be won?
Human Nature - Is it part of human nature to have a dark side? Dark side, which would be the expulsion of drug use in the United States during the 1960's. In the 1960's a large scale of people were beginning to use drugs and experiment with things never seen in the history of the United Sates. This topic is interesting to me because as a history major it is always great to look at an influential event in history. The question to be answered in this topic is, Was it part of human nature to rebel and begin to use substances that were at the time considered evil and bad? People have always been curious to experiment with things and I believe it is the dark side of human nature that allows humans to do harmful things. This historical event directly relates to The Wire in that, The Wire shows the drug use in Baltimore Maryland. The show captures that people use drugs and sell drugs as a way of life and do not think twice about its affects and its illegal state in society.
ReplyDeleteWhy were drugs a central part of the United Sates during the 1960's?
What caused people to experiment with drugs?
Why did people not second guess the affects and harmfulness of drugs?
Can drugs influence every aspect of a persons life?
Why are drugs illegal?
Will drugs ever become a legal entity of society?
Why are drugs even used?
Do people really naturally want to rebel?
Do people really have a dark side of nature?
Are drugs more prevalent today than ever?
2 Potential research topics:
ReplyDeleteGang related PTSD: I am interested in gang related PTSD because I am a psychology major and my concentration will be PTSD.
- This relates to The Wire because many of the characters are killed by gang/drug related violence.
1. Are there high instances of gang related PTSD?
2. Are adolescence who are involved in drug gangs more likely to experience PTSD than adults who are involved in drug gangs?
3. Are instances of drug gang related PTSD higher in certain cities than others?
4. What is PTSD?
5. How is PTSD measured in young adults?
6. Do those who, were involved in drug gangs, experience PTSD feel they can get help?
7. Can drug/gang related violence cause PTSD?
8.
Critical pedagogy as an effective teaching method: I am interested in this topic because my mother is a teacher in a school with children similar to the likes of Namond, Randy and Michael. I also see the effects of critical pedagogy in educating my son.
- This relates to The Wire because we see in Season 4 the effects of the education system.
1. What is critical pedagogy?
2. Who is Paulo Feire?
3. What is the banking Model of education?
4. Is “teaching to the test” an effective long-term teaching method?
5. How many states have standardized testing?
6. Do educators prefer one method of teaching over the other.
7. Which style do children seem to be more receptive to?
8. Why does the traditional banking model of education fall short?
9. Why is critical pedagogy more effective than most teaching methods?
10. Where is this being practiced? Specific schools?
Potential Research Topics
ReplyDelete1) Boys and Girls Club of America
- I am interested in this because I want to see if organizations like this truly make a difference, especially for at-risk teens in low-income areas.
- This relates to The Wire because throughout the series, characters like Cutty and Prez try to act as mentors to Dukie, Michael, Namond etc. and it shadows the mission of the Boys and Girls Club. Cutty and Prez create safe havens like the gym and the classroom for kids to come and get away from their problems temporarily.
1. Do these organizations help lower violence in the areas?
2. What does the program address?
3. Who can be a volunteer/What is the screening process like?
4. What are the outcomes of the program?
5. What kinds of kids (ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status) are involved in the program?
6. As the kids get older, do they still keep in contact with their mentors?
7. What is the average age of the kids involved?
8. Do other countries have this type of program?
9. Does the BGCA help academically?
10. How do they get their funding?
2) Private school vs. Public school
- I am interested in this because I want to see if there is a big difference whether it be mentally, socially, academically etc. on their students.
- Seeing how Dukie can thrive with a just a computer and not having any conventially classroom material made me wonder that if he attended a private school, would his needs be met and have an overall better life.
1. Do teachers who are equally qualified get paid the same in a private school and in a public school?
2. Are scholarships given to those who cannot afford it?
3. What is the graduation/drop-out rate?
4. Do certain areas have a higher private school to public school percentage?
5. Why do parents want to send their kids to private/public school?
6. Do uniforms/school lunches/classroom size really make a difference?
7. Do they get the same amount of funding?
8. How do they get their funding?
9. Do they have similar or different study plans?
10. Do private schools have to complete the same standardized testing like public schools do?
Kanokwan Taweechaisuntis
ReplyDeleteResearch Topics
-- I posted it on the Blog already, but somehow I tried to check on it, again, but it did not work. So I emailed it, just in case, it did not show up on the blog.
Thank you
Topic 1
In Vitro Fertilization
- I’m interested in In Vitro Fertilization because it increases the chances of the women who are incapable becoming pregnant. I also want to know to method how it can be done.
- This relates to The Wire because Cheryl, who is Kima’s girlfriend, is having a baby, not by adopting, but she does in vitro fertilization, in order for her to feel like a mother.
o How long does it take for the egg to be fertilized?
o Why do people favor in vitro fertilization as opposed to adoption?
o How is in vitro fertilization conducted?
o For those who choose to do in vitro fertilization, what is the success and failure rate?
o What preparations must women take before the in vitro process?
o Are there any complications that may possible arise during this process?
o Who invented in vitro fertilization?
o Who are the possible candidates for this process?
o What is the maximum and minimum age for women to be considered for this process?
o Does having a baby by in vitro fertilization as opposed to vaginally or caesarian reduce the likelihood of problems? (i.e prematurity, stillbirth, low birth weight, and etc.)
Topic 2
Gay Marriage
- I’m interested in Gay Marriage because I believe everyone should have a right to marry whoever they want
- This relates to The Wire because it demonstrates some characters that like the same sex.
o Should homosexual allow adopting children?
o Should gay marriage be legalized?
o Should homosexuals have the same benefits as heterosexual couples?
o Why do same sex people want to get married?
o What are the effects of having same sex parents on children psyche?
o Is homosexuality natured or nurtured?
o How does homosexuality and religion conflict with one another?
o If homosexuality is legalized, should there be laws made specifically for homosexuals? (i.e. No public display of affection)
o What might be the consequences if homosexuality is legalized?
o How many people believe in gay marriage?
Topic 3
No Child Left Behind
- I’m interested in “No Child Left Behind” because I do the research on my article analysis about “No Child Left Behind” and it is very interesting subject. Therefore, I want to learn that does it really successful
- This relates to The Wire because the school system in season 4, it demonstrates there
o What is the No Child Left Behind Act?
o Does it successful in any school?
o Has there been dramatic improvement among of public school due to No Child Left Behind policy?
o What does the benefits for students or schools?
o Will schools have any benefits when students have been improving their score on the standard tests?
o Does No Child Left Behind apply to all school?
o What if the students are failing the test, what will happen to them?
o No Child Left Behind has more negative effects than positive effects? What kind?
o What are the goals for No Child Left Behind?
o Are there problems in No Child Left Behind Act? What are they?
[Hannah Fogg]
ReplyDeleteI am interested in this because it is a constant social issue in today’s world and legal systems. This is related to The Wire because in the show 22 bodies of young black men are found murdered and the legal system neglected to fund the investigations with all the equipments necessary. It brings up the question what if it was a middle class white women would they have reacted in the same manner?
Racism against black men:
1. What is considered racist?
2. Is racism inherited and from whom: Parents, media, schools?
3. Why is there a high rise on arrest among African-American men?
4. Is racism and discrimination more prevalent only among blacks and whites?
5. Racism and the rise of conflict among different ethnic groups?
6. Why are black men portrayed as ineffective fathers?
7. Black men and the media?
8. Can Racism be eradicated and if so how?
9. How is racism and stereotype the same or different?
10.
I am interested in this topic because I went to an event that talked about homosexuality among African-American communities and I found it to be interesting. This relates to The Wire because one of the main characters is an African-American homosexual.
1. How common is Homosexuality among African- American communities?
2. How did the term “on the down low” come to be?
3. In regards to expectance of that life style is it determined solely by social actions or is it the people’s metal state of acceptance?
4. Why is it so hard for African-American men to come out?
5. How many hate crimes occur within African-American?
6. How much does influence does the church have among the communities and individuals?
7. Is the African-American community homophobic?
8. What methods are being taken to prevent homophobia/ hate crime?
9. Does accepting guy members in churches mean losing others?
10. Is homosexuality considered a civil rights issue why or why not?
I am interested in this topic because I really won’t to learn more about how institutions may have ramification on individual’s personal behavior? This is related to the wire because the entire season questions if the institution one is born into determines ones path in life or if it is the other way.
1. What are considered as institutions’?
2. How do institutions affect individuals?
3. How may individuals impact institutions?
4. How much do institutions intervene in individuals lives?
5. Who is part of these institutions?
6.
changes in law enforcement practices (federal/local) post 9/11.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in this topic because I will be working for a federal law enforcement agency this summer.
This relates to the wire because the wire, in the first season atleast, brings attention to the FBI's practices post 9/11.
1.)How did law enforcement change after 9/11?
2.)Why did it change post 9/11?
3.)What were the changes made post 9/11?
4.)What effect did those changes bring?
5.)What were practices like before 9/11?
6.)Who incorporates federal law enforcement
7.)Who incorporates local law enforcement?
8.)Why is there so many security clearances being handed out?
9.)What is terrorism?
10.)Who are likely terroists?
The Battle of Tora Bora and the hunt for Osama Bin Laden
I am interested in this topic because I am considering entering the military after college.
This relates to the wire because both are stories of surviving rebels against a liberating force.
1.)What is tora bora?
2.)Where is tora bora?
3.)Why were we there?
4.)Why was Bin Laden there?
5.)What were successes of this battle?
6.) What were the failures?
7.)What is Afghan culture like?
8.)What was the state of Afghanistan like at the time of arrival?
9.)What was the mission?
10.)Who/what is Al-Qaeda?
Wegahata Abed
ReplyDeleteEnglish 302
Potential Research topics
1. The evolution and the different meanings of the N-word since the 1600s (main focus in 20 years)
(The era of Tupac and Biggie, Michael Richards, NAACP petition on removing the “N” word, edited version of Huckleberry and Fin, to now)
1. I am interesting in this because…
1. I am interested in this topic because being an African American descent I have been referred to as an n-word in a positive way as well as a negative.
2. Originally, the n-word was derived as a racial slur used against persons of the African descent. Throughout time, the reference of the n-word has changed from a negative cognition to a positive.
3.
2. How does this related to The Wire?
1. Throughout The Wire, the n-word was repetitively used, whether it was used in a negative or positive way. The word itself has been passed around the cops, the hoppers and
3. 10 questions about the topic you will need to answer
1. Where did the word and meaning originate from?
2. How was the word originally used?
3. When did the meaning of the word change?
4. Does the dictionary definition still apply today?
5. Are there rules and regulations as to who may or may not use it?
6. What is the difference between the original meaning the slave holders used to the one many use now?
7. During what era did the cogitation change?
8. Are the meanings different between the different generations?
9. Should the word be censored in literatures in the American History?
10. Will the word and mean ever die?
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6559208 (NPR)
http://www.google.com/#q=n-word+history&hl=en&prmd=ivns&tbs=tl:1&tbo=u&ei=ZQujTauVAqSD0QG9-t2VBQ&sa=X&oi=timeline_result&ct=title&resnum=13&ved=0CHsQ5wIwDA&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=e8e7ddf4dbcd33f2 (timeline of the n-word)
Reaction to Michael Richards’ use of the word
Interview people of different ages
Wale’s reaction to the Michael Richards (the Kramer) http://www.urbanlyrics.com/lyrics/wale/thekramer.html
2. Homosexuality in the African American Community
1. I am interested in this…
1. I want to understand why in the African American community it is sometimes hard to accept someone who is considered to be a homosexual
2. How does this relate to The Wire?
1. In The Wire, is considered to be a homosexual and amongst different groups if people, he is not accepted.
3. 10 questions about the topic you want to know.
1. Why is it hard for someone who is a homosexual to be accepted in the African American society?
2. Are lesbians more accepted than gay men?
3. Why does the young men in this generation use the term “No Homo”?
4. Why is there a fear of homophobia?
Laura Ambrosio
ReplyDeletePossible Topics
1.Education in innercity schools.
Subtopics- standardized testing, social promotion, other failings and their consequences such as budget cuts, teacher layoffs, etc.
A.I am interested in this topic because I have gone through school, so it’s a topic that I understand and can relate to. Also the experiences of the four characters of Randy, Michael, Duquon, and Namond within the school system interested me.
B.This relates to season four of The Wire, which the setting is in a middle school. I would focus on Baltimore as the inner city.
C.Questions I would need to answer about topic:
1.How do the situations that the children face at home and their lives outside of school affect them when they come to school, their education, and ultimately their ability to learn?
2.Does standardized testing actually measure student’s knowledge?
3.Are standardized tests effective or are the tests just being taught and memorized by students in order to pass them and meet the objectives of the school system?
4.How do budget cuts and limited resources affect children’s education in innercity schools?
5.How does focusing on teaching the standardized tests impact learning of other material?
6.How many innercity students who graduate high school go on to college?
2.Human Trafficking and Prostitution in the United States
A.I am interested in this topic because it relates to how women are depicted in The Wire. Also because I am curious to find out what conditions lead to human trafficking of women and what problems do these women face.
B.This relates to season three of The Wire, which start off with thirteen women found dead who were being brought to the U.S. from oversees to be used as prostitutes.
C.Questions I would need to answer about the topic:
1.Where and what countries do these women come from?
2. Do the women come voluntarily or are they forced?
3. What are the differences between human trafficking and prostitution?
4. What are the differences between women who live in the U.S. and become prostitutes and women who are brought to the U.S.?
5. What measures or laws are in place to prevent and protect women in these situations?
6. What are the consequenes of women who become prostitutes or are being trafficked?