FOCUS DISCIPLINE RESEARCH TOPICS
Linguistics
Students who have chosen to study linguistics as a focus discipline should use print and/or electronic resources to find information on the following topics:
1. Psycholinguistics
2. Sociolinguistics
3. Bilingualism
You should write three papers in which you describe and discuss each of these
areas separately as follows:
In your first paper, discuss the subdiscipline, psycholinguistics. What is
psycholinguistics? How are psychology and language related? In what way(s) is
our use of language influenced by our individual needs?
In your second paper, discuss the subdiscipline, sociolinguistics. What is
sociolinguistics? How is our use of language influenced by the other people
around us? How do we change or adapt our language to the situation we are in?
Is changing our language use easy or difficult?
In your third paper, discuss bilingualism. What does it mean to be truly
bilingual? How is bilingualism affected by age? How are psycholinguistics and
sociolinguistics related to bilingualism, that is what are the psychological
and sociological factors that influence our ability to learn and use two or
more languages?
In a final research project, bring together all of the information you have
gathered to discuss "the interdisciplinary nature of linguistics,"
describing the role of disciplines like psychology and sociology in
linguistics. Be sure to include a bibliography in which you cite each of the
sources you have used to prepare your research project.
Psychology
Students who have chosen to study psychology as a focus discipline should use
print and/or electronic resources to find information on the following topics:
1. The Effects of Mood on Memory
2. Amnesia
3. Alzheimer's Disease
You should write 3 papers in which you discuss each of these topics separately
as follows:
In your first paper, describe the recent research that has demonstrated strong
connections between mood/emotion and memory. Find information on how our
emotions affect our ability to remember. Discuss this relationship in your
paper.
In your second paper, describe the phenomenon of amnesia, loss of memory that
can result from physical trauma or psychological distress. Discuss what happens
when we suffer loss of memory due to physical and/or emotional disorders? What
are the causes and effects of and the treatments for amnesia?
In your third paper, describe the serious memory disorder known as Alzheimer's
disease, which causes severe memory loss resulting from degeneration in the
cells of the brain. Discuss the causes and effects of and the treatments for
Alzheimer's.
In a final research project, bring together all of the information you have
gathered to discuss the psychological and physiological aspects and factors
involved in human memory. Be sure to include a bibliography in which you cite
each of the sources your have used to prepare your research project.
Biology
In your first paper, you will research the discovery of DNA by Watson and Crick, which revolutionized the field of biology. Research Watson and Crick's work on DNA and explain how and why it was so influential.
In your second paper you will research the discovery of PCR, or the Polymerase Chain Reaction, which was revolutionary in the field of DNA and genetics. What exactly is PCR? Who discovered it? Why has the discovery of PCR been so revolutionary? What has PCR been used for?
In your third paper, you will research the Human Genome Project. In the past several years a large project known as the Human Genome Project has been undertaken to try to determine the molecular details of the complete set of human genes. If this project is successful, it may be able to provide scientists with information about our inherent similarities and differences, as well as with some clues that will help scientists discover cures for many dangerous diseases. Research the Human Genome Project. What is the current state of this research? How has it affected the field of biology?
Diet and Nutrition
Students who have chosen to study biology and nutrition as a focus discipline
should use print and/or electronic resources to find information on the
following topics:
1. Anorexia
2. Bulimia
3. Eating Disorders in Men vs. Women
You should write three papers in which you describe and discuss each of these
areas separately as follows:
In your first paper, describe the eating disorder known as anorexia nervosa.
What are the causes of anorexia? How are psychological concepts such as
self-image and self-perception related to anorexia? What social factors are involved
in the development of anorexia? At what age does anorexia typically develop?
In your second paper, describe the eating disorder known as bulimia. What are
the causes of bulimia? How are psychological concepts such as self-image and
self-perception related to bulimia? What social factors are involved in the
development of bulimia? At what age does bulimia typically develop? In what
way(s) are anorexia and bulimia similar? In what way(s) are they different?
In your third paper, research the relationship between gender and eating
disorders. Are men and women equally at risk for developing eating disorders?
Are the psychological, sociological, and age factors involved in eating
disorders similar or different for men and women? Compare/contrast the cause and
effects of eating disorders in men versus women.
In a final research project, bring together all of the information you have
gathered to discuss the psychological, sociological, and gender-based factors
involved in the development of eating disorders. How does our society
contribute to the development of eating disorders? How can we help prevent
eating disorders? Be sure to include a bibliography in which you cite each of
the sources you have used to prepare your research project.
Environmental Science
Students who have chosen to study environmental science as a focus discipline
should use print and/or electronic resources to find information on the
following topics:
1. Recent changes in global climate
2. Recent changes in geographical patterns due to climate
3. The effects of a weather phenomenon known as El Nino
You should write three papers in which you describe and discuss each of these
areas separately as follows:
In your first paper, describe recent changes in global climate. Have the
predictions of scientists been correct? Has there been a gradual increase in
global temperature over the past several years? Has there been an increase in
storms and in unstable weather patterns?
In your second paper, describe recent changes in geographical patterns as a
result of the changing global climate. Find information on beach and land
erosion resulting from severe storms. How have storms, floods, and other
natural disasters reshaped the coastlines and the appearance of the earth?
In your third paper, describe the weather phenomenon known as El Nino. What
environmental changes result from this weather system? How often does El Nino
occur? What causes El Nino? What are the effects of El Nino on global climate?
In a final research project, bring together all of the information you have
gathered to discuss the effects of a changing climate on areas such as business
and/or politics. Focus on one of these areas in your project, answering the
following questions: What are the specific effects of climate changes on ? How
serious are these effects? What can be done to deal with problems caused by
climate in ? What predictions have been made for the future in in light of a
continually changing climate? Be sure to include a bibliography in which you
cite each of the sources you have used to prepare your research project.
Computer Science
Students who have chosen to study computer science as a focus discipline should
use print and/or electronic resources to find information on the following
topics:
1. New technologies and their effects
2. Educational applications of new technology
3. Artificial intelligence research
You should write three papers in which you describe and discuss each of these
three areas separately as follows:
In your first paper, describe 3 new technological developments of the past 10
years and discuss the impact of these 3 new technologies on our lives. How have
these new technologies changed, for example, our personal lives, our
professional lives, our social lives, our political lives.
In your second paper, describe how computer technology has changed education?
How specifically are/can computers be used in the classroom? Find information
on research projects on the "classrooms of tomorrow" and describe one
of these projects in detail.
In your third paper, describe recent research and developments in the field of
artificial intelligence. Can scientists build machines that match human
intelligence? How does artificial intelligence research help us to better
understand ourselves and our capabilities?
In a final research project, bring together all of the information you have
gathered to discuss the importance of the computer in history. Do you agree
with scientists who believe that the computer is the greatest invention in all
of history? How have computers changed the way we live, work, do business,
learn? Is each of these changes positive? What are the negative aspects of our
technological society? Be sure to include a bibliography in which you cite each
of the sources you have used to prepare your research project.
Business and Marketing
Students who have chosen to study business and marketing as a focus discipline
should use print and/or electronic resources to find information on the
following topics:
1. Psychological factors involved in advertising
2. Television infomercials
3. Internet commerce
You should write three papers in which you describe and discuss each of these
areas separately as follows:
In your first paper, discuss the psychological factors involved in advertising.
How do advertisers use the basic determinants of consumer behavior, needs,
motives, perceptions, and attitudes (discussed in the first reading of this
unit), in designing product advertisements? What types of ads are most likely
to appeal to or change our needs, motives, perceptions, and attitudes?
In your second paper, discuss television infomercials. How and why are
infomercials effective in inducing consumers to buy advertised products? How
and why is product cost different on an infomercial versus in a retail store?
What psychological and/or sociological needs do infomercials appeal to?
In your third paper, discuss the development of Internet commerce. How has the
Internet changed the face of sales and marketing? What are the
advantages/disadvantages of selling/buying products over the Internet?
In a final research project, bring together all of the information you have
gathered to discuss how sales and marketing strategies have changed as a result
of developing technology. Do a historical analysis of advertising, beginning
with the pre-television days of the early to mid-1900's. What advertising
strategies were used at that time? How effective were these strategies? Then
analyze how television changed advertising? What were businesses able to do
with television that they could not do before? What additional changes occurred
in advertising with the development of computer technology? How has developing
technology expanded the marketplace for both businesses and consumers? Be sure
to include a bibliography in which you cite each of the sources you have used
to prepare your research project.
Sociology
Directions: You will research the agents of socialization describing the influences of family, school, peers, and the mass media.
In your first paper, you should compare and contrast the role of family and peer relationships in socialization. How do parents, siblings and grandparents influence how we view ourselves and how we relate to others? How do cultural beliefs impact the process of socialization? What influence do our peers have on the process of socialization?
In your second paper, you should describe the role of the mass media as an agent of socialization. How does the mass media influence developing self-concept? Is the influence of the mass media the same for teenagers and adults? If so, how is it similar? If not, how is it different?
In your third paper, you should consider this statement: Americans are socialized to believe that "you can never be too rich nor too thin." How is this belief supported by business through advertisements on TV, in magazines, and even on the Internet?
Physical Anthropology
In your first paper, you should research the Scopes Monkey Trial that took place in the US in the early 1900's. What were the main issues in the trial? Who was the defendant? What was he accused of? What was the outcome of the trial? How did religious beliefs clash with scientific theory in the Scopes Monkey Trial?
In your second paper, you will research theories about the evolution of the human race. There are two primary theories about how the human race evolved. These theories are (1) The Mitochondrial DNA theory and (2) The Multiregional theory. Research and explain each of these theories. Which of the two theories do you believe is a more probable explanation of the evolution of the human race? Why?
In your third paper, you will research the Neandertals and explore their role in evolution. The Neandertals played a large role in the process of human evolution. They inhabited vast portions of the earth for many years and then suddenly seemed to vanish. There are several different theories about what happened to the Neandertals. Research and explain these theories. Which of them do you believe is the most probable? Why?
TOPICS FOR THE GROUP PROJECTS
Biology--
In your group research project, you will research the discovery of PCR, or the
Polymerase Chain Reaction, which was revolutionary in the field of DNA and
genetics. What exactly is PCR? Who discovered it? Why has the discovery of PCR
been so revolutionary? What has PCR been used for?
Business--
In your group research project, bring together all of the information you have
gathered to discuss how sales and marketing strategies have changed as a result
of developing technology. Do a historical analysis of advertising, beginning
with the pre-television days of the early to mid-1900's. What advertising
strategies were used at that time? How effective were these strategies? Then
analyze how television changed advertising? What were businesses able to do
with television that they could not do before? What additional changes occurred
in advertising with the development of computer technology? How has developing
technology expanded the marketplace for both businesses and consumers? Be sure
to include a bibliography in which you cite each of the sources you have used
to prepare your research project.
Psychology--
In your group research project, you should discuss the psychological and
physiological aspects and factors involved in human memory. You should discuss
both normal memory as well as memory disorders such as amnesia and Alzheimer's
disease.
Computer Science--
In your group project, describe how computer technology has changed education.
How specifically are/can computers be used in the classroom? Find information
on the Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow (ACOT) research projects and describe
these projects in detail.
Sociology and Physical Anthropology--
In your group research project, you should discuss the interaction of language
and culture in terms of the theory expressed by Edward Sapir and Benjamin
Whorf. Do you agree with the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis? Why/Why not?
Is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis regarded as a valid theory of language?
Diet and Nutrition--
In your group research project, you should discuss the importance of
antioxidant vitamins in our health. Identify the important antioxidants,
describe the foods that contain them, and discuss the recommended daily amounts
of these vitamins. Also discuss which diseases and disorders can be helped or
prevented by increasing the amount of antioxydants in the diet.
© 1999-2002--Loretta F. Kasper, Ph.D
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Page last updated on June 7, 2002