My Master's Project

Going Swimmingly

2005-02-22T17:03:00.000-05:00

It bothers me that the readings are so detailed, especially when I don't understand much of what Mary Sue attempts to break down for us. I definitely appreciate the e-reserve readings more. Trying to find a journal is driving me a bit 'nanas. The information I have been finding isn't what Steve is looking for. So I have an appointment to meet with a librarian to see what she can dig up ... because I am not the library girl. I couldn't find the "Book on Bees" in the B aisle. As I brainstorm my project though I am coming up with a lot of subtopics of writing as a communication tool during slavery ... from the reading and writing slave to quilt making to black newspapers. I am no longer afraid that I won't make the page count. :-) I am feeling much more confident about the project ... but getting through this class while conducting empirical research ... ay, there's the rub. I found myself stressing this weekend about what the final could possibly ask us. I know it's still a bit early to think about the final, but I was. Anyhow, the readings are a bit dry for my tastes and it's been extremely difficult for me to get through most of them.

Finally, A Topic

2005-02-01T15:23:00.000-05:00

I apologize for not keeping a constant flow of communication to the Web, but my Internet is down at home thereby making it a little more difficult to blog. The good news is that I have finally gotten a go on a project topic and I am extra excited about it. I am very proud of my culture and upbringing and like to use every moment possible to do research on it. My main concern was having a project idea that I could be interested in and proud of. I have done that with the project idea: the role and usage of writing in the creation and maintenance of the Underground Railroad. The UR has always fascinated me. Ever since I was a child, I wondered about its creation and relevance in African-American history. I am hoping this project idea will uncover a lot of things I was unaware of. However, narrowing down what I will focus on mostly is now my dilemma. But at least the hardest part is done.

The real problem

2005-01-18T19:20:00.000-05:00

This class is the stepping stone to me obtaining my master's. Its sole purpose is to help me with my master's project (like a thesis, but different). There's only one problem, I haven't a clue on what I want to do my research on! I have thought about it in great detail, but I am coming up short. I want it to be on something I take a great interest in, but that will also be entertaining and not a snooooozer. But it also has to resort back to the program I am in. I thought to do a different aspect of an issue I covered in a research paper last term: the rhetoric involved in persuasive writings toward African-Americans in reference to the Human Genome Project, but I don't know how to bring it from a different angle. Then I thought about something involving exercise science and the works/writings I've been studying to certify to be a instructor/trainer. I have yet to buy the book, but maybe just maybe once I get it, and read what it has to say, I can then decide the best way to choose an interesting project topic?