"Foreign observers have long noted the distinctiveness of American patriotism. What impresses them is that, unlike the patriotism of the Old World, it is not tied to blood or soil but is a dynamic blend of Judeo-Christianity and political liberalism. In France and other countries, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote, there were "two distinct elements" that were always at odds with one another, but the Americans "have succeeded in incorporating to some extent one with the other and combining admirably. I refer to the spirit of religion and the spirit of liberty". (McKenna, 2007, p. 5)
McKenna, G. (2007). The puritan origins of American patriotism. New Haven & London: Yale University Press.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Writing the Research Proposal
(This is the real reason I am here to blog. The previous post was a surprise. Somehow there was a post inside me bursting to come out. Writing is so special and mysterious in that sense.)
I have been struggling to put together two almost disparate ideas - patriotism and rituals. Yes, they look very related. But every time I write the proposal, they come up that way, as two separate topics requiring two separate research methods. M mentioned that I need to connect them. But I didn't know how. I was uncomfortable with that, but I thought, that's the best I have for now.
Then, two days ago, I attended a Research Proposal Workshop by Dr Anneliese. I am so indebted to her. She helped me with the article I submitted to the practitioner journal. I went up to her after the workshop to thank her for her help and let her know the article would be out soon. And I told her I have changed my PhD topic and told her about patriotism and ritual. And again she said I have to be careful that I'm not doing two separate studies. She gave me an example that it could be that I have to look at both what teachers think and what they actually do. And this can unite the two separate topics.
So I went to bed with this puzzle. How I am going to resolve this puzzle...
There was a construct that I really liked called "nationalistic education". I have always wondered why so few others studied this. Not surprising if you understand the current academic climate. I actually don't fit into the mainstream academic tradition that I "grew up" with. That for another day. Just to give a clue, I am fascinated by emotions, rituals, all things spiritual... And when I woke up and got out of bed, nationalistic education was in my mind.
I did a mindmap to capture some ideas I had. Nationalistic education will be the umbrella under which I would place patriotism and commemorative events. I will think twice about making ritual a key concept of my study also... So I wrote... That it is important to study nationalistic education, because so much of our education involves stuff like flag-raising etc, yet the topic is so controversial... Why so controversial? There is no consensus on what patriotism is... and how to cultivate it... So we need to explore how teachers think of patriotism and also look at how they use commemorative events to instill it.
YES! So for now, there is some coherence.
Can you see the changing face of my research proposal?
I'm going to sound crazy but the PhD is fun because of how things change like this... It's changing to become more coherent. :)
Still using two methods but at least now there is some coherence above the methods level...
I have been struggling to put together two almost disparate ideas - patriotism and rituals. Yes, they look very related. But every time I write the proposal, they come up that way, as two separate topics requiring two separate research methods. M mentioned that I need to connect them. But I didn't know how. I was uncomfortable with that, but I thought, that's the best I have for now.
Then, two days ago, I attended a Research Proposal Workshop by Dr Anneliese. I am so indebted to her. She helped me with the article I submitted to the practitioner journal. I went up to her after the workshop to thank her for her help and let her know the article would be out soon. And I told her I have changed my PhD topic and told her about patriotism and ritual. And again she said I have to be careful that I'm not doing two separate studies. She gave me an example that it could be that I have to look at both what teachers think and what they actually do. And this can unite the two separate topics.
So I went to bed with this puzzle. How I am going to resolve this puzzle...
There was a construct that I really liked called "nationalistic education". I have always wondered why so few others studied this. Not surprising if you understand the current academic climate. I actually don't fit into the mainstream academic tradition that I "grew up" with. That for another day. Just to give a clue, I am fascinated by emotions, rituals, all things spiritual... And when I woke up and got out of bed, nationalistic education was in my mind.
I did a mindmap to capture some ideas I had. Nationalistic education will be the umbrella under which I would place patriotism and commemorative events. I will think twice about making ritual a key concept of my study also... So I wrote... That it is important to study nationalistic education, because so much of our education involves stuff like flag-raising etc, yet the topic is so controversial... Why so controversial? There is no consensus on what patriotism is... and how to cultivate it... So we need to explore how teachers think of patriotism and also look at how they use commemorative events to instill it.
YES! So for now, there is some coherence.
Can you see the changing face of my research proposal?
I'm going to sound crazy but the PhD is fun because of how things change like this... It's changing to become more coherent. :)
Still using two methods but at least now there is some coherence above the methods level...
An Update
I have not updated this blog in more than a month. So what has been happening to me? Sometime ago and repeatedly thereafter, I made myself promise myself that I will not be a depressed PhD nerd-geek. I will not be one whose life revolves around the PhD. I want to have a life outside of PhD, I want to have hobbies, friends, to travel... I want to be a cool PhD student, or even one who says she does a PhD as an afterthought.
Why?
I consider myself a mature student. Many people jump into their PhD right after their undergraduate studies and they have had little exposure to the outside world. Not that I have much, having only worked in a university all my life, but I feel that I cannot begin my graduate studies with that idealistic view that I'm doing something wonderful and proud and I'm going to devote my all to it during this five years. No, I know that I may not find an academic position when I come out, I know that having a PhD as an accomplishment helps you look smart, but it doesn't mean you're smart, I know that my health (emotional, spiritual, physical, mental) is more dear to me and I am willing to give up any activities or loves that threaten it.
Gosh, what a strange post. I didn't come here thinking I would write about this, frankly.
But yes, so I have been doing some freediving the past month or so. :)
And I pulled myself back to work on my Research Proposal.
During the break, I wrote an article for a practitioner journal. Two days ago, I told my friend about it, and I said, "I've taken so much from teachers, I'm grateful I finally have a chance to give back."
I will be conducting a workshop end October on Academic Publishing and Writing. I was excited about this because from April to June 2017, I did a diploma in TESOL. I am prepared that if I don't get an academic position, or if I do get it, I will be ready to teach. But when I was given this chance to do a workshop... something in my heart leaped for joy. I was thinking that I can apply what I learned in the TESOL course to engage my audience.
Okay, how did I get these opportunities? I want to share with you... I simply asked for them. I am not someone who is thick skin, but I got a few chances to just ask. I asked the editor of the online journal whether they were interested in a paper I have in mind, and they said yes. I told the Grad Center that I was interested to share some of my experiences with writing and publishing with other students, and they gave me that opportunity.
Why am I asking and doing all these?
Because sometime ago, I realized I need to chart my own career path. I cannot just do my PhD. It will not only bore me to death, it alone is not sufficient to open doors and possibilities for myself now, and my future later.
Gosh, where are all these words coming from. I'm so talkative today. Maybe I should stop here.
Why?
I consider myself a mature student. Many people jump into their PhD right after their undergraduate studies and they have had little exposure to the outside world. Not that I have much, having only worked in a university all my life, but I feel that I cannot begin my graduate studies with that idealistic view that I'm doing something wonderful and proud and I'm going to devote my all to it during this five years. No, I know that I may not find an academic position when I come out, I know that having a PhD as an accomplishment helps you look smart, but it doesn't mean you're smart, I know that my health (emotional, spiritual, physical, mental) is more dear to me and I am willing to give up any activities or loves that threaten it.
Gosh, what a strange post. I didn't come here thinking I would write about this, frankly.
But yes, so I have been doing some freediving the past month or so. :)
And I pulled myself back to work on my Research Proposal.
During the break, I wrote an article for a practitioner journal. Two days ago, I told my friend about it, and I said, "I've taken so much from teachers, I'm grateful I finally have a chance to give back."
I will be conducting a workshop end October on Academic Publishing and Writing. I was excited about this because from April to June 2017, I did a diploma in TESOL. I am prepared that if I don't get an academic position, or if I do get it, I will be ready to teach. But when I was given this chance to do a workshop... something in my heart leaped for joy. I was thinking that I can apply what I learned in the TESOL course to engage my audience.
Okay, how did I get these opportunities? I want to share with you... I simply asked for them. I am not someone who is thick skin, but I got a few chances to just ask. I asked the editor of the online journal whether they were interested in a paper I have in mind, and they said yes. I told the Grad Center that I was interested to share some of my experiences with writing and publishing with other students, and they gave me that opportunity.
Why am I asking and doing all these?
Because sometime ago, I realized I need to chart my own career path. I cannot just do my PhD. It will not only bore me to death, it alone is not sufficient to open doors and possibilities for myself now, and my future later.
Gosh, where are all these words coming from. I'm so talkative today. Maybe I should stop here.
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