Description of Investigative Assignment-Education and Economic Success

Description of Investigative Assignment-Education and Economic Success

Description of Investigative Assignment

The investigative assignment is an informal “action” project in which you will briefly talk to people about topics from the course. You will only use these informal interviews for the purposes of this course. Follow the general gist of the script below to help you explain to people why you want to interview them. More detailed tips for talking to people will be discussed in class. Use email, phone, etc. to conduct your interviews. They do not have to be in person.

General script to use to explain the assignment to people

Hi, my name is ________. I’m taking a class where we’re learning about how society influences education. One of my assignments is to talk to people about some of the course topics. The goal is for me to hear the many different ways people think and talk about success, and the role of education. Anyone I talk to will remain completely anonymous. I won’t ask your name or reveal your identity. This is only for an assignment. This will be quick! Can I please talk to you for 15 minutes?

“Education & Economic Success,” Due Week 4

Part A

Talk with 3 people (anyone you have access to in your home and through phone, email, etc.) about their perspective on economic success and education. Ask them the following questions. Feel free to ask other questions.

1a. From your perspective and experiences, what do you think are the most important factors that influence someone’s economic success (e.g., good career/job, high salary, owning a home, etc.)?

1b. Why do you believe those factors are important?

1. What role does family play in influencing someone’s economic success?
2. Do you think people’s cultural background can influence whether or not they are successful in school or in life? Please explain.

1. What role does education play in influencing someone’s economic success?
2. Do you think that education can prevent success, or interfere with students being successful in school and later on in their life? Please explain.
3. Think about what success means to you. How would you define success?

 

Part B

In 5-6 double-spaced pages write up your assignment using the following headers to organize the sections of your paper. Proofread your paper, use proper citation rules for direct quotes from readings.

Section 1 – In approximately 2 pages describe who you talked to (no names) and summarize your interviews with each person. Please do NOT include the interview questions and every answer. Summarize each interview.

Section 2 – In approximately 2 pages use course material from two weeks between weeks 1-4 to analyze each interview. You must use at least one lecture and one reading from two different weeks between weeks 1-4, which means you need a total of two lectures and two readings. Refer to specific points from lecture and the readings to discuss any connections between what you heard and the course. For example, do the interviewees refer to ideas associated with the concept of merit, the “achievement ideology,” ideas about intelligence, capability or motivation, someone’s cultural values or family background, someone’s class background, or the impact of school on opportunities in life? Do the interviews contradict or critique any of the concepts that we discussed during weeks 1-4?

Section 3 – In roughly 1 page discuss YOUR perspective on the above questions regarding economic success and education. To stick to the page limit, summarize your overall perspective; you do not need to answer each question separately.

$19.00 – Purchase Checkout Added to cart