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Capstone: Open Topics

Capstone: Open Topics. Caps 4360.16 Dr. Brian William Smith. Office Hours. Today 10-2 Tomorrow 11-2 No office hours on Friday. Learning Outcomes Covered Today.

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Capstone: Open Topics

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  1. Capstone: Open Topics Caps 4360.16 Dr. Brian William Smith

  2. Office Hours • Today 10-2 • Tomorrow 11-2 • No office hours on Friday

  3. Learning Outcomes Covered Today • Define an appropriate and current problem that is being actively discussed by real decision makers at a specific level of government.

  4. Social problems: The root of capstone

  5. What is a Social Problem • It must harm a significant number of people or an influential segment of the population • It must occur frequently (not a 1 time event) • It must be able to be remedied by collective human action (this means Government)

  6. What is Not a Social problem • Something that is produced by natural or biological conditions (getting older, hair loss) • Something that is purely a private issue • Something that is a pure ethical argument (what I believe is right and what is wrong)

  7. If No one is trying to solve your social problem, then it is not a good Capstone topic

  8. Social Problem vs. Social Policy

  9. Examples: • Social Problem • Immigration • Failing Public Schools • National Debt • Global Warming • Controversial Solution • Dream Act • Race to the Top • Fair Tax • Cap and Trade

  10. A Good topic has a social problem, with a solution, and decision makers are actively trying to solve it

  11. Good and bad topics

  12. Good Topics are not statements • The thesis is stated in the form of a question because your Capstone paper explores both sides of a controversy without bias. • Check your topic question for neutral language. Avoid words like “wrong,” “prevent,” “avoid” that indicate you hold a position on the topic.

  13. Good Topics are Normative • The Opposite of Empirical “Will Eating Pop Rocks and Soda cause your stomach to explode” • Normative is value based • Usually involves the words “should” or “ought to” “Should the Federal Government allow off-shore drilling”

  14. Good Topics are controversial • They do not involve symbolic politics • There are real people (interest groups, legislators, political parties) who care about your topic • The above groups will answer yes or no to your question

  15. Good Topics Have A Solution • A social problem without a solution, is just Drunk Talk • Who is/was the best president? • A lion vs. a bear in a cage match? • Who would win in a fight Batman or Spiderman? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpQWjvet9o4 • Real Solutions take the form of policy outputs (laws)

  16. Good Topics have a clear level of analysis • A good topic has some level of government actively working on it • A theoretical “government” solution is not a good topic

  17. A Good Topic is Practical • Ask yourself, can you write 30 pages on this? • Can you find people to interview • Can you do a service project on your topic

  18. What is not a good topic • Banned Topics • Dilemmas from other nations and esoteric foreign policy • Lopsided Topics and Culture War issues (science vs. values) • Conspiracy theories (short on evidence) • Issues not subject to government regulation in some way (religion, private business) • Sports Issues: i.e. BCS policies

  19. Good or Bad? • What are the effects of Embryonic stem cell research? • Should the US lift the trade embargo on North Korea? • Should the use of cell phones be prohibiting while driving? • Why is the war in Afghanistan wrong?

  20. Good or Bad • Is global warming detrimental to human existence? • Should the Federal Government pass a cap-and-trade bill to combat global warming • Why has the federal government diminished the rights of citizens since 9/11?

  21. Good or Bad • Should we build the Keystone XL pipeline? • Should the burning of the flag be made unconstitutional • Should Botswana charge fees for state education?

  22. Good Macro Topic Areas • State and Federal Income programs (SNAP, TANF, etc) • Economic Policies – (taxes, tax policy, incentives and sanctions) • Immigration – • Energy and the Environment • Foreign Policy with troublesome nations • Social Security • Budgets and deficits • Education at the State level • Campaign finance/electoral reform • Transportation (federal, state and local) • Entitlement Reform

  23. Topic Proposals

  24. Topic Proposals • Due in Class on 1/28/2013 • Paper must be typed • Be Ready to make some changes (for the better)

  25. Do I have a good topic? • Clearly Identified Social Problem • Policy history on my topic • Legitimate Controversial Policy Solution • Pro and Con Sides

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