Stuff and Things

Exploratory Draft

2007-11-19T11:59:00.001-08:00

Thesis: There is more than one factor in influencing sexual orientation, of which seem to be environment and genetics.

Many people believe that homosexuality is unnatural and should be prevented. Some even think it is a disorder that can be ‘cured’. There is much evidence that homosexuality is a result of genetics. One study found that those who were homosexual had more aunts than those who were heterosexual. Although this does not say much about predicting homosexuality or the likelihood of having a homosexual son or daughter, it does prove that there is some sort of genetic link between homosexuality and genetics.

Another study found that there is a difference between the amount of ___?___ in the brain, resulting in more feminine or more masculine ways of thinking and behaving. This could be why, stereotypically, homosexual men are thought of as acting more “girlie”, and tend to have a lot more female friends than heterosexual men. But although there is significant evidence that homosexuality is linked to genetics through analyzing the amount of ____?____ in the brain. What’s more, I have found that although a person may have the genetics to be gay, he or she may not consider themselves homosexual and may not act or want to act in this way. This would furthermore explain why there are many homosexual men who have very masculine mannerisms, which is generally assumed by many to be contrary be being gay. This observation has therefore led me to believe that there is more than one factor in determining homosexuality.

I have also found that homosexuality is also present in mammals other than human beings, which could support my argument that homosexuality is not a choice.

Annotated Bibliography Revision Plans

2007-11-19T08:17:00.000-08:00

1. I will not list the actual URL to the sources, but instead say in the citation that I got the sources from an online database.

2. I will get more of a variety of sources, not just journal sources. I know of a video that would be good for this paper.

3. I will make sure that my summary and how it relates to my paper is the best it can be, and make sure that all necessary details are included.

what my sources reveal...

2007-11-09T11:05:00.000-08:00

Taken together, the sources I have consulted so far on my research topic reveal that there is evidence that homosexuality is a result of genetics, but I have also found that even though someone may have the genetics to be gay, he or she may not consider themselves homosexual. I have also found that homosexuality is also present in mammals other than human beings, which could support my argument that homosexuality is not a choice. I found research using qualitative research and also quantitative research. By using a diverse type of evidence, I believe my viewpoint could reach more people.

annoated bibliography so far...

2007-11-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

McKnight, Jim and Malcolm, Jim. Is Male Homosexuality Maternally Linked? Sydney: Psychology, Evolution & Gender, 2000.

This article tests and examines information pertaining to homosexuality and whether or not it is passed on through genetics. The study was conducted by

Possible sources for my paper

2007-10-31T11:35:00.000-07:00

A Candidate Gene Study of CYP19 (Aromatase) and Male Sexual Orientation.

A therapist's guide to the genetics of human sexual orientation.

Is male homosexuality maternally linked?

Measurement Models for Sexual Orientation in a Community Twin Sample

The Incredibly Shrinking Gay Gene

Types of Sources I will be Using

2007-10-29T11:36:00.001-07:00

According to those who are homosexual and experts in the field of psychology, is homosexuality a choice or is it genetic?

In order to answer this question, I will be using a lot of primary sources. I will be interviewing a few gay people and I will also use information from studies done by psychologists interested in whether or not homosexuality is genetic. My best friend is gay, and I'm sure he'd be happy to give me a lot of insight to this topic. I will also explore the catholic church's point of view on the issue and I want to find out if they have any sufficient evidence that being gay is not genetic and that it is "curable". I am not sure what kind of articles I will find in the field of psychology, but I will hopefully find an actual legitimate study on the issue. In order to know if it is legitimate or not, I will need to make sure those who are conducting the study are qualified enough and that there are little or no biases affecting the study.

Roles for Research

2007-10-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

I've decided to change my topic to homosexuality and whether or not it is genetic or a choice. I will probably take the role of a synthesizer of current best thinking on a problem.

According to the field of psychology and sociology, is homosexuality a choice or genetic?

My research so far...

2007-10-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

I have found that I will need to focus my research topic on specific age groups. There is a lot of research on music therapy and the effects of music therapy could be different for each age group. Also, I will need to focus my attention to what kind of ailments music therapy helps. I'm not sure if would like to include many types of ailments or stick to just one. I am also not sure of if I will end up talking about one age group either. I will know once I have done further research. I don't think I will have very much luck in finding information. So far, I have searched "Music therapy" and many articles come up, so there will be no trouble in deciding how to narrow the subject down.

So far I have learned that there are in fact researchers who believe that music therapy is not as effective as others believe it is. This will be useful for me when helping my readers to see the whole picture.

Tentative Purpose and Audience of Research Paper

2007-10-19T11:32:00.001-07:00

Plans to do:

Audience:

-Music majors

-Psychology majors

-People who are stressed out

Purpose

-Inform readers about the effects of music therapy

-Convince readers of the affectability of music therapy

-Illustrate using examples of case studies

-Clarify what music therapy can and cannot do for health

Questions for my Research Paper Topic

2007-10-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

1. Is music therapy a legitimate way of helping people overcome physical or mental illness?

2. To what extent does music therapy help people overcome physical or mental illness?

3. What is the history of music therapy healing people in ancient times? (And how has it affected modern music therapy?)

Exploring my Research Topic

2007-10-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

Part I: Exploration

1. Identify the issue or problem that you plan to focus on in your research project.

Does music therapy really work in helping to cure mental and/or physical illness?

2. What is your personal connection to and interest in this topic?

I love music and I have a friend who I majoring in music therapy. I think this is also a very interesting topic. When I play music, listen to music, and/or sing, I know first hand that a lot of stress is relieved. I also know that music can quickly allow people to escape their daily lives. As Aristotle put it, “music is the quickest way to the soul”.

3. What opinions do you already hold about this topic?

I feel that it can help to improve people’s mental stability and peace of mind. I believe that music is a great way of expressing emotions. Expressing emotions is a very good way to keep the mind healthy and happy. I think that music therapy should be incorporated into our everyday lives in order to prevent illness, because people are generally more healthier when they are happy.

4. What knowledge do you already have about this topic?

I know that some people believe that music therapy has helped people who have some kinds of mental illnesses and possibly physical illness too. Also it can help people who are generally stressed out. I know that music is very uplifting and helps us to connect with ourselves. I really don’t know a lot on the subject, I just know that I would like to research it more.

5. What are your main questions about this topic? What are you most curious about?

I would like to know what the opposing side’s point of view and support is. I would like to learn more information both sides to develop a more educated opinion on the subject. I would also like to know if this field is widely accepted in the scholarly world and if this is a new field.

6. Within what scholarly discipline (such as history, biology, psychology) do you expect to do most of your research? How does this discipline approach or study this topic?

I expect to do most of my research within the psychology discipline. I assume the psychology discipline studies this topic through case studies and through general observation in controlled environments.

7. How could you research this topic outside the library (for example, through interviews and/or observations)?

I could hold my own experiment on a stressed out college student and see whether or not music therapy works.

Part II: Focusing

Write an initial claim, or an open-ended question, to guide your research on this topic. Make it specific but exploratory. Remember that a good claim opens up an area of inquiry about a topic; a claim should invite evidence, support, and debate.

Music therapy is an effective way to improve the overall health of humans.

My Sources for Synthesis Paper

2007-10-04T09:57:00.000-07:00

Visser, B. A. (2006, September-October). Beyond g: Putting multiple intelligences

theory to the test. Intelligence, 34, 5. Retrieved October 3, 2007, from Science

Direct database.

Visser, B. A. (2006, September-October). g and the measurement of Multiple

Intelligences: A response to Gardner. Intelligence, 34, 5. Retrieved October 3,

2007, from Science Direct database.

Gardner, H. (2006 September-October). On failing to grasp the core of MI theory: A

response to Visser et al. Intelligence, 24, 5. Retrieved October 2, 2007, from

Science Direct database.

Gardner, H. (1998 Winter). A reply to Perry D Klein’s “Multiplying the problems of

intelligence by eight”. Canadian Journal of Education, 23, 1. Retrieved October 1,

2007, from ProQuest database

Teachnology Incorporated into School

2007-09-24T09:50:00.000-07:00

Modern computers and technology are changing the way people learn for the better.

Computers are changing the way people learn. According to Richard Ohmann, author of “Computers and Technology”, schools New Jersey are very technologically up-to-date. When they became ‘wired’, “NJ went from failure and a threatened state takeover to the highest scores of any New Jersey city on state tests” (2). Obviously, there’s something about technology and “getting wired” that schools need to pay attention to and act on.

According to David Williamson Shaffer et al in “Video Games and the Future of Learning”, video games “give a glimpse of how we might create new and more powerful ways to learn in schools, Communities and workplaces” (3). Online video games enable players to interact with people from around the world on goals they actually care about. This is a valuable skill to that students should be required to learn and should therefore be incorporated into schools curriculums. As stated by Shaffer, “School is increasingly seen as irrelevant by many students past the primary grades” (10). If kids play these life-simulating video games, then they will become more interested in school and will also learn the very valuable and often overlooked skills needed to succeed in life. Some of these ever-important skills are “integrat[ed] thinking, social interaction, and technology (3).

Although technology has, and will be, a great aid for helping students learn, there are some downsides to consider. Shaffer states that “Teachers and good school leader fight for new technologies and new practices” but they don’t always get it (10). Technology is expensive to keep up with and many schools would rather spend the money on other things. Also, there is always the risk of technology distracting students when they are supposed to be working on schoolwork. In Ohmann’s article, he mentions that “students are tuning out their professor while they send their e-mail messages… and otherwise multitask their way through their [degree]” (3). But distractions in school are nothing new. Students will always be distracted by something, whether it be doodles on the side of their paper, passing notes, making faces at their peers, and so on. Teachers have learned to deal with these distractions, and the internet will be no exception.

I believe that even though these downfalls seem a little overwhelming, the positive effects of learning through technology will outweigh the negatives. Students will learn first hand how the real world as an adult works. Video games simulate real-world situations so that when the students are actually faced with life, they will have already had a little experience and will learn to be more confident. Students can discover new identities that could possibly lead them to decide what they want to do with their lives.

The Summary of the Decade :D

2007-09-23T22:31:00.000-07:00

In "Computers and Technology"by Richard Ohmann, he explains how computers are becoming a huge part of the education system. He says this is a good thing, considering computers are used in the work world, so students will have already been exposed to it in school. Computers help kids in school perform better. Although there are some downfalls to having computers in the classroom, such as students being distracted by email and online social communities, all in all, computers in the classroom have, and will continue to improve the quality of learning in school.

thesis and outline

2007-09-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

Thesis: Computers in the modern day are changing the way people learn and perhaps learn to adapt to the "real world" more quickly.

Outline:

Citing: “Who Needs Computers?” and “Computers and Technology"

Online Courses/schooling:
-Changing the way people learn
-Schools becoming more "wired"
-Better test scores in NJ
-But, the downside of using technology in school
-Why positives outweigh the negatives in using technology in school

-How online video games simulate real world situations
-Presidential elections
-"Exploring new identities"
-Being a part of a global community
-helps kids to be more aware of how adult life as an adult works

Fast Food Fatty Lawsuits Legit? You Decide

2007-09-09T16:17:00.002-07:00

In David Zinczonko’s “Don’t Blame the Eater”, he believes that many people suffering from obesity due to consuming excessive amounts of high-fat fast food are people who cannot afford to buy higher quality foods. People like young children from low-income households, high school students, and college students who have little time to work a full time job, let alone having one that pays more than minimum wage. He also argues that anyone can take a ride down a typical American street and find a fast food joint without any effort, but if you wanted to find something healthy for the same price, you’d run into difficulty. But I question that claim. There are some healthy options that are affordable to low-income individuals and families. Rice is very healthy and one cup helps to fulfill the daily requirement for children. Rice can also be bought in bulk, which helps to minimize the overall cost per pound. Bananas are an excellent source of energy for the price and grapes are high in fiber and vitamin C. There are plenty of other choices at bulk food stores or even at your local grocery store, it just takes a little more effort to find them. One thing is for sure, these cheap foods will not make you pack on the pounds nearly as much as a McDonald’s Big Mac will. Happy eating!

In David Zinczonko’s “Don’t Blame the Eater”, he claims that fast food chains should take responsibility for making people obese. He supports by saying that these restaurants do not provide sufficient nutritional information in order for the consumer to make well-informed decisions on what they should and should not put in their bellies. Did these consumers expect that eating two meals at McDonald’s was going to make them as fit as Michael Jordan? No matter how misinformed America is about fast food nutrition information, it takes a large deal of denial to believe that fast food joints are solely responsible. McDonald’s and other fast food restaurants market and advertise their products like any other company—to make as large of a profit as possible. But no matter how many L.A. Tan advertisements we hear on the radio, we do not expect people to blame tanning salons for making them look 20 years older when they are the ones who chose to go tanning 4 times per week. What makes eating too many McDonald’s Big Mac’s any different?

2007-09-09T16:17:00.001-07:00

Tinky Winky... gay?

2007-09-06T09:51:00.001-07:00

In the article "Gay Tinky Winky Bad for Children", the author quotes from many people from differing standpoints on the issue. It starts by saying that the Reverend Jerry Falwell does not approve of the Television show. He claims Tinky Winky serves as a poor role model for young children simply because he is gay. The article then goes on to explain Falwell's point of view and how he might feel that way. At the end of the article, the author includes opposing arguments who say that just because he acts gay doesn't mean he really is. Other quotations point out that overall, Tinky Winky is a sweet-hearted character and had no intentions of doing any children harm. The author obviously wanted to show both sides of the argument to allow the reader to make a decision for themselves. The author most likely knew that he couldn't change the readers' values, but he could make them more informed on the subject.

In the second argument about Tinky Winky being gay entitled "Crabmommy, is Tinky Winky Gay?", the author does not seem to support themselves with an effective "they say" argument. The author simply blames Polish people for being "conservative" and goes on to state their own opinions on the subject. Other people made comments about their own opinions on the subject, but no one clearly cites what "they say". This was more of a conversational forum than anything else. In effect, the ending result is a disorganized cluster of opinions without any clear, legitimate references to what anyone else has said on the topic.