Observing, Questioning, and Discovery: Sep 1, 2017

Focus: How can simple observations and questions lead to discoveries?

1. Warming up with a Friday freewrite and a few thoughts about what we're really doing here

We can't find the solution until we first examine the problem.

Questioning --> Researching --> Observing --> Better Questioning --> Thesis

2. Working on an annotated bibliography to gather and assess research

• Click here for an overview of the what/why/how of the annotated bibliography
• Click here for a sample annotated bibliography from last year.

3. Looking over your research so far; at the top of your annotated bibliography, try the following:

a. Make a few simple observations regarding your topic/research that you think are important.

• As Y2K approached, people were quick to panic.

• Many assumed that a technical glitch would essentially lead to the end of civilized life.

• People hoarded goods, build underground shelters, and prepared for the new millennium as though preparing for a natural disaster or a war.

b. Based on your observations, ask a Level 3 question that you hope to answer as you dive into your research. Put it in bold font at the top.

Remember: A Level 3 question has many possible answers and can be applied to many situations.

• Ex: Why is paranoia contagious?
• Ex: What is the link between reliance on technology and mass panic?

NOTE: If you're working on asking questions or organizing your questions into categories, see yesterday's blog for examples.

4. Offering you little scientific inspiration on the importance of what you're doing

HW:
1. Do your best to finish your annotated bibliography (about 5 entries) by Tuesday; make sure it's in your "Cultural Hysteria" folder. If you need in-class time on Tuesday to finish, no worries.

Topic Sign-Up

2. If it's in your budget or on your bookshelf, please acquire your own copy of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer.