Part I

“It is known that fraternities have a stereotypically bad reputation.” Pg. 1

This is a bandwagon appeal from the list of common logical fallacies. This is because I am assuming that everybody knows that fraternities have a bad reputation. It shows that I think that everybody knows about this stereotype. I can correct this by rephrasing my statement to show that the stereotype is not a shared belief amongst everybody, and clarify that it is only a portion of people who believe this.

“O’Donnell declares that binge drinking is present within fraternities and probably will remain present, although some switch liquor for beer instead, lessening the proof, and therefore the chance of death or blackouts.”

This statement by O’Donnell is a hasty generalization. The conclusion is based off of insufficient data, and no specific statistics. The author thinks that because a particular fraternity does an action, a result that is in favor of his point of view is the result. In my paper, what I can do is point this out, thus adding more of my personal anecdote to the argument.

Part II

On my poster, I plan on incorporating numerous statistics and tables. Words will be minimally used, and instead substituted with graphs and other figures. I will use the two side panels to focus on 4 different arguments included in my paper (2 for each panel), and the middle panel focusing on the aspects of alcohol vs. development, which I think is the biggest, and best argument in my paper. This will highlight my research topic. I went to the poster meeting, so this helped formulate my tactics through poster content, as well as overall design to appeal to my audience.

1)      Graham, J. Walter. “Origins and Interrelations of the Greek House and the Roman House.” Phoenix. Vol. 20, No. 1 (Spring, 1966), pp. 3-3. Classical Association of Canada. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/1086313>.

2) Larimer, Mary E.; Irvine, Daniel L.; Kilmer, Jason R.; Marlatt, G. Alan. “College Drinking

and the Greek System: Examining the Role of Perceived Norms for High-Risk Behavior.” Journal of College Student Development, v38 n6 p587-98 Nov-Dec 1997.

3) Cahin, Jeffrey R.; Presley, Cheryl A.; Meilman, Philip W. “Alcohol Use in the Greek System:

Follow the Leader?” Journal of Studies on Alcohol. Vol. 59, 1998.

4) Wechsler, Henry; Kuh, George; Davenport, Andrea E. “Fraternities, sororities and binge

drinking: Results from a national study of American colleges.” NASPA. 2009. Vol. 46, No. 3.

5) Borsari, Brian E.; Carey, Kate B. “Understanding Fraternity Drinking: Five Recurring Themes

in the Literature, 1980-1998.” Journal of American College Health. Volume 48, Issue 1

July 1999 , pages 30 – 37.

My third source, “Alcohol Use in the Greek System,” looks to be my most promising source as of now. This is because it relates alcohol to Greek life and houses. In most social fraternities, alcohol and parties are the main components in attracting rushes, and therefore pledges, and eventually brothers. This is helping me narrow my topic even more, as I am now considering focusing on alcohol consumption in houses of both fraternities and sororities.

What Stallybrass is saying is that an individual should not be the source of their own inspiration. This implies that Stallybrass believes that each person’s thoughts or creativity is in fact derived from others. Our thoughts do not source from ourselves, but in fact generate from others around us through interaction and interpretation of what they have said or done in the past. In essence, we rely on our past and we build from it to create and establish who we are today. This relates to research in that we take from around us to form our own opinions through what we read and experience from others. This is research.

I am interesting in researching the topic of nature versus nurture…

Because I want to find out how we have come to be who we are today…

And this is important because in order to examine and analyze our surroundings and how they came to exist, we, as humans, must understand how we have come to develop into our current forms, whether it be by a natural process or other peoples’ influences.

Questions:

1) Define exactly what nature and nurture are, being specific with each concept.

2) What specific case studies or examples can be used best to support the research topic?

3) Is there a definite answer and conclusion to the various studies researched?

Exhibits in museums are set for a specific purpose, either to glorify or reminisce. In regards to war exhibits or memorials, only one side seems to show. This is apparent in memorials, such as the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum and the Vietnam War Memorial, both located in DC, which list the names of only soldiers who fought on said side. Why in DC? Because it is the center hub for all things American and patriotic in the United States. Our government is centered here and international bureaucracy and diplomacy is mainly handled and addressed here. With such a high octane of patriotism in one location, portraying an “official story” is not always appropriate to those who produce these memorials. One vital component of the Enola Gay memorial that caught my eye was “challenge,” mentioned in the Japanese Times article. The curator of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum said that creating a display that showed not only the Enola Gay, but its devastating effect on an entire culture would be a “good challenge” to the institution. He backed his claim by declaring the institution to be “primarily a technology museum;” primarily being the key word. Primarily is equivalent to mainly or mostly, not completely, so if it’s only primarily focused on technology, at least a small portion could be dedicated to the effects of said technology, especially one as memorable and significant of the Enola Gay.

http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/our_story/values_in_action.html

The official story presented on the site is not unexpected. McDonald’s is a big name corporation that makes tons of money each day. They serve quick and tasty (depending on you opinion) meals to “billions” of customers each day.  McDonald’s is also involved in numerous community service projects and sponsors many events.

What is missing from the official story is the fact that McDonald’s food is by no means healthy. Their food is served quick, but when eaten on a daily basis, health and weight issues will probably arise. Evidence of this is the movie “Supersize Me” where Morgan Spurlock eats nothing but McDonald’s for a month. As a result he has enormous weight gain and health issues. What is convenient is not always good for you.

Attachment link: http://memory.loc.gov/mss/mfd/47/47001/0001d.jpg

From looking at the map, one can infer the intentions of Frederick Douglass. Because he owned a map of Talbot County, a location he has spent much of his life as a slave, a place where he experienced many of the events in his story, shows his interest in escaping. The map is in near perfect condition, which indicates how Douglass cherished it for his goals.  It shows that he needs it and that it is a valuable resource to his plans. From this, one can see the dedication and resilience Douglass possessed to achieve his objective: to free himself and others from the entrapment of slavery.