Global Issues in the Liberal Arts
Research Paper Proposal
1. What is the general topic you want to learn and write about? The general topic must be an objective examination of a topic related to one of the four breadth areas and it must have a global perspective or be of global significance. Economics of global warming is the general topic for my research paper.
2. Identify which breadth area(s) the topic is related to and explain how the topic is related to this breadth area (s), or how you can use the perspectives of this particular breadth area (s) to examine the topic of your research within its global context. This topic will fall within the science/description and social civic breadth area of liberal arts.
First, Social/Civic because the climate affects the entire world and the policy on global warming requires that countries develop relationships to accomplish an overall objective. Many Activist believe that science has proven global warming to be a real ecological concern yet many countries and individuals in society choose not to acknowledge global warming as fact.
The Science/Description breadth area because as mentioned one must believe in the facts and evidence provided on the topic. Global warming and the study of its effects requires an understanding of nature and the structure. Technological advances may provide many solutions to the challenge, however, few countries have the financial means or education to implement such solutions.
3. What is the purpose of the study? Why have you chosen this particular general topic? Do you intend to educate or illuminate a particular group about your topic? Do you intend that this group or person will change it's/his/her thinking or take action because of your study?
The purpose of this study is to have a deeper understanding of global politics and how the United States decision to leave the Paris Agreement will financially impact third world countries.
4. What is your research question? You are not conducting field research (i.e., survey data, interviews, primary source data). Research in this context means investigating a topic in depth using credible sources.
Your research question guides what sources you select and read in depth. This is a specific, clear, concise question you have about the topic that is grounded in facts that can be discovered in the literature.
Remember that the question should be intellectually challenging and not be one that can be answered with a simple "yes," "no," or "maybe." Review your question for its clarity and scope. Will the question point you to specific information on your topic?
Will you be able to find enough information on the topic? Is it so broad that you will get hundreds or thousands of articles on the topic? Could you writeapproximately 8-10 pages that illuminate what scholars are writing about on this question?
How does the economics of global warming affect the income inequalities between and within countries thru the redistribution of wealth?
5. What is your working thesis? This is your tentative answer to your research question; your best-educated guess as to what the answer will be. If, in the end, you find something different, that is OK. There is no right or wrong here. This is to get you thinking about what you expect to find on your topic. Your thesis should be concise; 1-2 sentences.
Even though the Paris protocol provides financial resources to assist developing countries with the adoption of technology they will struggle due to other limitations. The economics of global warming unfairly place developing countries at an economic disadvantage.
6. What resources will you use in collecting your information? Using the professional literature is a requirement. Professional literature will come primarily from articles in the Ottawa University library databases.
I plan to use peer review journal articles found in the Ottawa University library database. I would like to conduct one personal interview with a David Kneeland a graduate student at The University of Texas's LBJ School of Public Affairs. Mr. Kneeland's major is international relations/global studies. He is also currently employed as an intern for Karl Rove, Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff during the George W. Bush administration.