Research Instructions

One of the greatest benefits of a college education is not to learn facts about various subjects or how to perform in a specific career field, but rather how to think yourself and investigate current issues and events that effect you and people like you.

In this second major project for this semester you will choose a current issue or event that effects college students such as yourself. It can be anything going on locally, statewide, nationally, or even globally. The only requirements are that you can explain why the topic is or should be important to college students and that you can find adequate sources for your research.

A word of caution:

When we care about an idea, a principle, or a standard, then we have a tendency to make decisions and take actions that lean toward our own perspective. When these tendencies prevent us from treating others fairly, then we are on a slippery slope.

Critical thinking requires us to identify and examine our own biases as well as possible biases in our sources of information.  Remember that even sources that are credible, may present only one side of an issue and therefore contain bias. You will have to set your own opinions about your topic aside and research from a neutral point of view.

Assignment 1: Topic Discussion (25 pts)

             Choose your topic.

In one paragraph identify the topic you have chosen to research and explain how this topic relates to the concept of social responsibility.  In a second paragraph discuss your personal attitudes and mindset about your topic. This assignment is to be completed by posting your topic to a discussion thread and engaging in a discussion with your classmates.  

Assignment 2: Annotated Bibliography (25 pts)

               Research your topic. Identify five sources of information on your topic.