Introduction
Sometimes, the best projects emerges from problems. That's because
a problem provides focus, drive, and energy, and these in turn provide
clarity, structure, and movement for the paper. It also provides interest
for both yourself and your reader.
Now, that's not to say that all projects should be based on problems,
nor is it to say that only problem-based projects can be strong projects.
Instead, it's meant to suggest that problem-based projects are one more
strategy for you to keep in mind as you try to figure out what you want
your paper to accomplish.
Types of Problem-based Projects
There are several kinds of problems that might motivate you, leading to
several kinds of problem-based projects. Two common ones are:
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A problem in the real-world
These are the kinds of projects we all explored with the first paper
assignment. In asking you to think about the Middle East peace process,
I was asking you to work through a real-world problem using the ideas
from Boyarin. These kinds of projects are usually available for any
assignment. For example, for paper two, you might have attempted to
work out the role of science in larger communities by focusing in
on the textbook problem in Gould and trying to work through it using
the ideas from both Gould's essay and Boyarin's.
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A problem between the essays
What do you do when one author says one thing that sounds valid and
a second says the opposite but sounds equally valid? That's a problem,
and it's a problem that can lead to an interesting project, because
it's trying to figure out what's behind a seeming contradiction
AND how to solve it. For example, Gould says there should be separation
between disciplines, which could be seen as the opposite of Boyarin's
belief in the "transcultual" self's role in science. Now,
in working on this kind of project, remember that you're not trying
to prove who's right and who's wrong. That doesn't really
solve the problem. Instead, you're trying to figure out how to resolve
the conflict, or how to synthesize the positions into a new position.
Finding the Problem
A good way to locate a problem-based project is to pay attention to your
own reactions when you read or re-read an essay: what strikes you as not
true? what do you think makes no sense given your experience in the world?
what's going on out in the world that might have something to do with
what's being said? Another method is to realize that these essays are
also problem based: the problem of locating a Jewish identity, the problem
of what evolution means, the problem of cleaning the Ganges. Look at the
problems these authors are trying to deal with can give you a starting
point for finding your own project.
Solving the Problem
Don't. Because you probably can't. Does Boyarin present THE solution to
identity and religion? Does Gould solve the problem of transformational
and variational notions of evolution? Not at all. They move us towards
a solution by giving us NEW understandings, and that's what you should
be doing, too. Keep your claims limited, focused, and grounded.
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