Research Topic Analysis. Arts Academic Language and Learning Unit 2013

Transcription

1 Research Topic Analysis Arts Academic Language and Learning Unit 2013

2 In the social sciences and other areas of the humanities, often the object domain of the discourse is the discourse itself. More often than not, in a critical essay, you are expected to develop a conversation between sources and with the sources.

3 If all claims to truth are products of power, then Foucault s own philosophy must be a manifestation of the will to power Discuss Drury s critique of Foucault s epistemology. Is it a fatal critique of his theory of knowledge?

4 Put simply, as a student in cultural studies or critical philosophy, for example, you are expected not only to know the various steps, stages and constituent components of Foucault s theory of knowledge production, but:

5 You are also expected to be able to apply this theory to a facet of the social world, eg. learn the dance, understand the dance, do the dance

6 You are also expected to be able to critique (evaluate) Foucault s theory of knowledge. What are its strengths? What are its weaknesses?

7 You are also expected to be aware of the various positions in the critical commentary on Foucault s theory. What do other theorists say about his theory?

8 You are also expected to be able to critique (evaluate) this critical commentary. Are there any flaws in the critiques put forth by other theorists?

9 In certain instances, you might also be asked to speculate on refinements or alternatives to an established discourse and you must substantiate your innovations with supporting evidence and arguments. It is not enough to simply express a bald, unsupported opinion.

10 This evidence can emerge from a re-examination of the object domain of Foucault s theory, whereby you identify a mis-fit between a theory and its application.

11 It might emerge from reflecting on the logical structure of Foucault s theory, whereby you identify an internal contradiction.

12 It might also emerge from assembling a variety of authoritative commentaries and arguing that on the balance of opinion, Foucault s theory of knowledge as a construct of power is...what? Supported? Disproved?

13 Significantly, it is uncommon in the social sciences and humanities for theories to be disproved. Theories are generally said to be unworkable, undermined, discredited or less than persuasive.

14 In contrast to the positivist, empirical methodology of knowledge production typically assigned to the natural and physical sciences (and in some instances to some areas in the social sciences), the humanities are said to mostly employ the interpretive (hermeneutical) method.

15 At the basis of both the positivist and interpretive methods is the principle that the object domain of inquiry is constituted by meanings. This object domain of inquiry in the Arts is only accessible to the inquirer as the semantic properties of texts (linguistic meanings).

16 Consequently, when commencing your analysis of an essay topic, keep one word in forefront of your preparation: THEORY

17 In the vast majority of the essays you are set in Arts subjects, the main requirement is that you show: - you understand the theory - you can develop a conversation between competing theories/theorists - you can develop a critique/evaluation of the theory - you can apply the theory to actual conditions eg. case studies

18 Attitudes to knowledge Components of the topic referred to above require you to provide several different attitudes to knowledge: - Reproductive attitude stating facts, dates, content of theories - Analytical attitude identifying the evidence and arguments - Critical/evaluative attitude outlining strengths and weaknesses - Speculative attitude suggesting refinements, resolutions - Prescriptive attitude arguing what should be the case

19 When writing an essay, one of the first questions you must ask of the topic is: Which types of knowledge am I being asked for?

20 Analyse the following topics in terms of the types of knowledge being sought:

21 1. Evaluate the evidence for the claims that Aborigines traded extensively and widely between themselves prior to European settlement.

22 1. Evaluate the evidence for the claims that Aborigines traded extensively and widely between themselves prior to European settlement. Analytical attitude

23 2. Is it good to make people happy?

24 2. Is it good to make people happy? Prescriptive attitude

25 3. Identify and critically analyse different explanations for rising rates of divorce in Western countries.

26 3. Identify and critically analyse different explanations for rising rates of divorce in Western countries. Critical/evaluative attitude

27 ALLU 4. Marx outlined four types of alienation. What are these?

28 4. Marx outlined four types of alienation. What are these? Reproductive attitude

29 Example topic: The United Nations is an institution plagued with controversy. Discuss.

30 Example topic: The United Nations is an institution plagued with controversy. Discuss. One of the first steps is to identify what types of knowledge you are being asked for.

31 To respond to this topic adequately, the student is required to undertake at least three tasks: 1. Explain the history, role and charter of the United Nations. 2. Identify and outline the main controversies 3. Analyse competing/conflicting views

32 The student should also:

33 The student should also: - Identify and evaluate any presumptions smuggled into the topic

34 The student should also: - Identify and evaluate any presumptions smuggled into the topic - Evaluate the interests of the discourse participants and the validity of their theories and arguments

35 The student should also: - Identify and evaluate any presumptions smuggled into the topic - Evaluate the interests of the discourse participants and the validity of their theories and arguments - Offer a more speculative perspective on how this issue might develop and/or be resolved.

36 It is not enough to identify the issue under discussion and outline the various perspectives on the issue.

37 The critical-evaluative thinker in the Arts is usually required to take a more adversarial role to the topic and the discourse.

38 The critical-evaluative thinker in the Arts is usually required to take a more adversarial role to the topic and the discourse. The critical-evaluative thinker questions and critiques the questions and the range of responses in the established discourse.

39 The critical-evaluative thinker in the Arts is usually required to take a more adversarial role to the topic and the discourse. The critical-evaluative thinker questions and critiques the questions and the range of responses in the established discourse. The critical-evaluative thinker is expected to provide a definite judgment on the issue under consideration (which side appears to offer more substantive and valid argumentation), as well as even briefly suggesting his or her own innovative or alternative approach to the issue.

40 Analogies are helpful in explaining critical-evaluative thinking: - a duel - a courtroom complete with prosecutor, defending solicitor, defendant, jury and/or judge - any form of organised contest that has an umpire/judge - learning a dance routine Each analogy highlights an important aspect of critical-evaluative thinking. The main element not highlighted is that the critical-evaluative thinker is also subject to evaluation and assessment - the judge is also judged on his or her judgment.

41 Planning Your Essay 1. The Tower Block 1. Introduction - topic/narrower subject/thesis/programme sentences 2. What s the problem? - Most essay topics focus on a specific problematic issue in the discourse of a subject area. This issue will most likely have been identified in lectures and readings. In this section you outline what the problem is. 3. Theory - Who s arguing? What are the competing arguments? 4. Evaluation - critically evaluate the arguments 5. Discussion 6. Conclusion

42 Planning Your Essay 2. The Flowchart Thesis Statement (the position you are arguing for) Argument + #1 #2 #3 Discussion and case studies Argument -- #1 #2 #3

43 Planning Your Essay 3. The Tree In this model, write out your thesis/main argument first and then work backwards. + - (1) thesis

44 Topic: The recent history of the Middle East reveals the triumph of ideological politics. Do you agree? If so, explain why this has occurred words.

45 1. Apply attitudes to knowledge approach. 2. Analyse the topic statement - direction words - limit words - value words - assumptions - underlying tendency - definitions - what is the problem?

46 Logical analysis of the topic: 1. Recent history 2. Ideological politics

47 Can you have non -ideological politics? ideological Politics nonideological control of social decision making

48 Types of political systems: democracy, monarchy, theocracy, dictatorship, one-party state Other issues: nationalistic/theocratic overlap monarchic/theocratic overlap political economy Case studies: Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq

49 CONTEXT BACKGROUND PROBLEM ANALYSIS DISCUSSION CASE STUDIES SUMMARY CONCLUSION

50 Sample Essay Topics Indicate which attitudes to knowledge you think are being asked for in the following questions.

51 Sample Essay Topics 1. It is because the media are central to our everyday lives that we must study them...as social and cultural as well as political and economic dimensions of the modern world. Discuss. R E P R O D U C T I V E A N A L Y T I C A L CRITICAL/EVALUATIVE S P E C U L A T I V E P R E S C R I P T I V E

52 Sample Essay Topics 2. The prison functions ideologically as an abstract site into which undesirables are deposited, relieving us of the responsibility of thinking about the real issues afflicting those communities from which prisoners are drawn in disproportionate numbers (Davis 2003). Do you agree? Critically discuss using examples. R E P R O D U C T I V E A N A L Y T I C A L CRITICAL/EVALUATIVE S P E C U L A T I V E P R E S C R I P T I V E

53 Sample Essay Topics 3. Among Fascism, Communism, Nationalism, and Liberalism, which two had the most impact on the course of the 20 th century? And why? R E P R O D U C T I V E A N A L Y T I C A L CRITICAL/EVALUATIVE S P E C U L A T I V E P R E S C R I P T I V E

54 Sample Essay Topics 4. Was the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 a success? What criteria should be applied here? R E P R O D U C T I V E A N A L Y T I C A L CRITICAL/EVALUATIVE S P E C U L A T I V E P R E S C R I P T I V E