This week we will focus on the Prospectus. This small assignment of one page links to the entire plan of the larger Major Research Project. In Latin, pro means ‘towards, or forward,’ and specto/spectare means ‘to see.’ It is an even more disciplined short assignment than is the summary, but its jobs are similar–only you are not tracking someone else’s issue and conclusion plan. You are creating your own. And everything must match–the issue, the thesis, the subparts of the thesis. Here is an example of what I mean:
Issue: Schizophrenia has long been a mental disability that has left its victims incoherent, and often a danger to themselves and to others. Since the 2000s, however, a tremendous number of new drugs have allows those suffering from schizophrenia to live normal, safe, productive lives. This has changed the world not only for them, but for those around them–loved ones, friends, neighbors, coworkers. These drugs have proven a miracle. Yet recently, a newer and more complicated problem has arisen as a result of these miracle drugs. Those suffering from schizophrenia begin to think that their normalization is permanent, rather than the result of the drugs, so many stop taking them. And the results have been devastating, as they descend into incoherence, different and dangerous realities, making them a serious threat to themselves and those around them. Experts of all kinds have weighed in with solutions to this problem. Doctors say victims must be hospitalized; lawyers say they must be ordered to take their drugs, for the common good–and yet other lawyers say that doing so violates the constitutional rights of the victims. And families just want peace and safety again. So what must be done? Thesis: As a result of the emerging problem of victims of schizophrenia neglecting to take their needed medicine, I intend to examine the main arguments of key expert groups addressing the problem, with the hope of determining which group or groups has the most reasonable solution. I will organize my study in the following manner:
1. Intro
2. History of schizophrenia, its solutions, and the beginning of the new problem.
3. An examination of expert solutions to schizophrenics opting out of medications:
a. Medical Opinions Concerning Interventions
1. Those for hospitalization
2. Those for in-patient treatment
3. Those for outpatient treatment
4. Your analysis of the section and transition to the next large block point (use this model for all large points)
b. Legal Opinions For and Against Mandatory Interventions
d. The General Consensus of Families of Victims
3. Conclusion:
Bibliography
short, two or three articles, cited in any style. These may ultimately not be part of your overall project, but show that you have begun research to get a sense of the ‘zone of contention’ within your topic.
____________________________________
NOTE: The Prospectus often changes as you do more research. Further research may suggest, for example, that the real issue is a legal one, with three distinct expert opinions on what is to be done with these victims of schizophrenia. If that happens, you have to adjust your Prospectus plan to fit the new reality. Do you follow this?
Ultimately, you will submit your final Prospectus as part of your Major Research Project, and I will in part evaluate your big project on how it conforms to the plan of the Prospectus that goes with it.
NOTE: two things to know about organization of essays, written or spoken:
1. Your subparts ought to have what is called an ‘in kind’ or kinship relationship. That is to say, they need to be sufficiently compatible so that your argument is made more coherent through them, so that what you say about one subpart may have pertinence to another. For example, if my thesis (the subparts of a thesis are really the outlined plan in your Prospectus, just laid out vertically on the page, rather than horizontally, as you might do writing a long thesis statement:
So is life better in Minot today than it was 50 years ago? I intend to examine what the experts say concerning improvements in education, health care, and the highway system.
Here, the highway system may have been improved, but it is not in kind with education and health care, both of which directly impact people rather than indirectly? How about using ‘recreation?’ That would be in kind.
2. You must enter your sub-part argument at the same conceptual level. For example, again Minot:
So is life better in Minot today than it was 50 years ago. To find out, I will examine changes in education, health care, and bus service in order to determine myself.
Here, note that “bus service” as a sub-part exists at a smaller conceptual level than either education or health care. What should “bus service” fit under in order to comport with the other two categories? (Transportation)
