Research Sources: A students life on Campus

At first, I contemplated writing about the Sun Devil Canyon, which was what my first project was focused upon. The reason I am not going to focus upon it this time is due to the fact that the first time around I could not find much information on it. Moreover, I myself am a college student living on campus and I am interested in diving into and researching maybe what are some of the benefits of living on campus and what are some of the activities of some students that differ from my own. Thus, I will now focus project two on a particular student’s life, living on the ASU Tempe campus. I will be exploring and following what areas and places he usually spends his time in. Furthermore, the overall reason for my decision on following this particular student is to reveal a more concentrated perspective of living on a college campus such as Tempe. I will evaluate my topic by personally following him to his certain areas as well as questioning on his reasons for being in those areas. Then I will attempt to find the bigger meaning of what he does and find the out physical and mental benefits of his activities as they relate to academia and social life in a college atmosphere.

            My first source is form a scholarly article called “Quality of College Life (QCL) of Students: Developing and Validating a Measure of Well-Being” by M. Joseph Sirgy, Stephan Grzeskowiak and Don Rahtz. It is approximately twenty three pages in length. The article deals with exploring and researching students living on campus. It tries to find a relationship with the quality of life on campus and the student’s health, motivation in academics, and social life. There is a broad focus upon the college life as well as a individualistic focus on several students form different Universities. Furthermore, the reason I chose this article is due to the fact that I have similar interests into seeing the links in living on campus and school. Their research method is also similar to my own, when it comes to the part of studying individual students. This source ultimately has a large amount of information that can be learned and applied to my particular subject.

            My second source is “An Investigation of Broad and Narrow Personality Traits in Relation to General and Domain-Specific Life Satisfaction of College Students” by John W. Lounsbury, Richard A. Saudargas, Lucy W. Gibson and Frederick T. Leong. It is approximately twenty two pages in length. The article focuses upon the satisfaction and lives of college students. It dives into finding links between the campus atmosphere and experiences and how they relate to a student dropping out or doing well in their academics. Furthermore, the reason I chose this article is because it may reveal reasons for what area and activities the student that I am following does and how it my mentally affect him.

            My third source is a book titled, How Students Make Meaning of their Intentional Out-of-class Educational Experiences. The book is by Isett-Levett and Kerry Lynn. It is approximately 149 pages. This book has a focus on what students in college participate in on their free time. The authors find a links between college life and how well students do in school and participate socially. The reason for choosing this is once again because it closely relates to my project and goes along to with I will be researching.

http://jettcattaniproject2.blogspot.com/2012/10/one-students-life-on-campus-benefits.html

Evaluation: Borderlands 2

Evaluating a video game can be a very challenging task because what exactly makes a great game is highly debatable. My idea for an exceptional video game is that a game must pass five different criteria. Number one is good graphics. This is the category for the overall visuals of the game. Is the video game up to date on how games it should look in this day and age? Or is the game pushing and redefining what all new video games should look like. Then the second criteria I am looking for is the overall sound quality of the game. This would include any music and voice acting within the game. The third criteria would be how playable the game controls are. I am looking to see if the controls are too hard or too easy or just broken. The fourth is ultimately the entertainment of the game. This would include if the game is interesting, fun, and has a gratifying story line. Lastly, I am looking at the game for its replay value. Basically seeing whether or not a gamer plays the game one time and puts it down. Or instead keeps on playing it for months. Ultimately, I will evaluate Borderlands 2 through these criteria.

            On August 20, Borderlands 2 became available to purchase around the world in almost any video game or electronics store. This game was a sequel to the very successful  Borderlands that came out in 2009. I played much of the first the game and loved it. Thus, on the first day that Borderlands 2 was released I bought it right away and am still very addicted to it. I am pleased to find out that the sequel is not only as good at the prequel but in fact much better and improved. Furthermore, this game pretty much passes all my five of my criteria with an A+.  First of all, the graphics are beautiful and much improved. The hand drawn animated world of Pandora (a planet that the game is set in) is far more beautiful and diverse than ever before. The characters, humans, animals, and enemies of the game all have different and distinct looks to them. Instead of having generic looking enemies and allies from the first game, the artists have really made an effort to change that fact with this sequel and with ultimately great success. Moreover, the sound quality is great and even more improved. All the hilarious dialogue is delivered perfectly to the player. The sounds of explosions and gun fire make the game feel superbly realistic and the music goes great with the adrenaline fueled game. Furthermore, the controls are smooth and up to par with any other top FPS genre  to date. First time gamers will have little trouble mastering the controls to the game. I found this out by having to people who have never played or have very little experience with the FPS genre and it only took them less than a minute to learn the controls. Additionally, entertainment wise this game is hilarious, action packed, interesting, and one of the best gaming experiences I have ever had. Borderlands 2 actually has a specific story line and an antagonist. Just this fact about the game makes the game much better than its sequel, which lacked both a specific story line and a main antagonist. Lastly, this game will attract gamers to replay this game many times over. Because of its new classes and skill trees, it will entice players to try to create the best possible character or try to master a new ones.  Moreover, the cooperative multiplayer that Borderlands 2 has to offer will give gamers another reason to play this game again and again with their friends in this instance.

Source:http://gamefly2.gameflycdn.com/images/games/e/179990e.jpg

            Overall, this game is one of the best games I have ever played. It surpassed my expectations and met all of my criteria with flying colors. This is a must have for any Borderlands fans and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys first person shooters. If you want to have a funny, exciting, and an adrenaline pumped ride, then Borderlands 2 is the game to get. Dare I say that it should be the winner for the title of game of the year in this year’s Video Game Awards? 

Project 1 Reflection: Finding analysis

In my opinion project seemed to be an easy assignment that I could probably do in an hour or so. But as I started to work at it I found out that the paper was much more challenging than I thought it would be. Overall, I felt that I did pretty well with actual analyzing of different aspects of my area that I found. Whenever I had an idea for why there are plants or why the grass is green in the area, I did well with linking it to my analysis or quotes from Vanclay. Furthermore, I learned that when writing analysis in this paper, using too much symbolism makes for very weak arguments due to the fact that symbolism can vary considerably from person to person. Thus, using more concrete evidence to back up observation and analysis makes for better arguments. Also, relying on more obvious or more physical observations are much more easily argued and understood by the reader.  Ultimately, I struggled with finding more objects or aspects of the Sun Devil Canyon to actually analyze. The area arguably does not serve as a real useful or critical area for students or people. For instance the SRC serves to help students get physically fit or allows them to take classes, whereas the Sun Devil Canyon does not serve any real purpose except to be a nice shady area for people to walk through. There were some obvious aspects of the area to analyze, but because I felt there was so little to work with, I had to dive deep and look for some smaller details that probably most individuals would never pay attention to or even notice. Though I struggled to find more parts of the Canyon to work with I ultimately feel that I obtained a relatively appropriate amount of information to write about. Moreover, I struggled with integrating several quotes into my paper. I did put quotes form Vanclay into my paper but I feel as if I did not do enough quotes to make my arguments strong enough. Also, I felt that at the first couple drafts of my paper it was challenging to write enough to reach 4 or 5 full pages. Thusly, I altered my writing process so that I would write more explanation on my quotes or conclusion I had about certain aspects of the Canyon. I ultimately extended my analysis overall for the final draft and in turn fixed my problem with lack of pages. Furthermore, I feel that I reached the amount of analysis that was being asked for. I am unsure if it was good analysis in the aspect that it was hard to argue or back up, but overall I wrote and went as deep as was asked for. Moreover, I will apply my work in the future when I go out and travel the world. Whenever I see a marvelous area in my travels and feel like writing about it to a friend or for personal reasons I will have a much easier time finding ways to analyze it. 

Analyzing a Place Worksheet

Your Place: Sun Devil Canyon

What are the intended functions of the place?                      

To provide a serene resting area for any persons that wish to reside there. With the great shade coverage and relative silence, it is the optimal place for any person study enthusiast.

What overt messages does the place send (i.e., openly communicated through signs)?

There is a sign that says Sun Devil Canyon communicating the area. There is a parking pay booth that has signs communicating where to pay if you parked in the Fulton Parking lot. Furthermore, there are signs that say not to allow golf carts to drive through.

What covert messages does the place send (i.e., hidden messages)?

Some covert messages that it sends is that ASU has so much money that they can build rest areas that are beautiful and decorated. Giving a sense of financial power. Furthermore, there is a hidden message that ASU strives to be a more calm and peaceful campus as reflected by the peaceful area of the Sun Devil Canyon.

Have previous users left traces behind in the place?

There are at times quite a bit of trash that has been left on the ground. Furthermore, there are a few bikes left there and some broken dismantle bikes that have been left from a horrible prank.

Has the place been re-appropriated (i.e., beyond its original functions)?

A few trees and plants have been added, but nothing more.

What social or cultural customs did you observe (i.e., rules governing appropriate behavior)?

There are signs for no golf carts to be allowed in the area, and there are mettle pieces that have been bolted to the edge of a concrete wall preventing the social customs of skateboarders.

Who has access to the place?  Are there insiders and outsiders?

Everyone has accesses, students and civilians.

Who owns the place?

ASU owns it.

What is the place’s value (i.e., monetary or otherwise)?

 It is valued as very beautiful area to hold group activities and study. For example, during parents weekend, there was a free breakfast there for families.

Source: Jett Cattani

Source: Jett Cattani

Are there official representations of the place (i.e., online, in promotional materials)?  Do they accurately capture the place as you experienced it?

There is a quick remark about it on the ASU website. Link http://www.asu.edu/tour/tempe/cam.html

Is the place in transition, a changing place?

There is not current transition.

What conflicts or tensions are there in the place?

None

What is the place’s history?  Do you see evidence of the past there in the present?

I have no information other than it used to be an empty plot of land before they built upon.

How does this place differentiate itself from other places?  What other places is it similar to, but how is it different from those places?

It differentiates itself greatly with other places due to its beautiful water fall centerpiece. Some similar places to it would be the areas around the area of the ASU welcome sign on University and facing College Ave.

What questions do you have about your place?

Was there always a parking lot built behind it?

Key Features / Profiles (taken from the Norton Field Guide (Goggin and Bullock) Chapter 16, pages 165-166)

An interesting subject.  What is unusual about your place?  Alternatively, is there something ordinary about it that you can show in an intriguing way?

It has a beautiful water fall art piece that is pretty usual for campus. What is ordinary about it the landscaping, but what is unusual about it the type of plats such as the Asian bamboo and banana tree that gives it a Zen feeling.

Any necessary background.  What background information will you need to include about the place in order to situate readers?

I would reveal that it is on the ASU campus and it is located behind the Fulton Center on the corner of University and College Ave. Furthermore, I would reveal that many students frequent the area to study and homeless people eat and rest there.

An interesting angle.  Rather than trying to tell readers everything about the place, what angle(s) might you use?

I would give the angle of looking down the canyon while standing near the waterfall. It sums up the most important aspects of the area.

A firsthand account.  Did you interact with people in the place or participate in some way?  What experiences did you have there that you can write about using “I”?  (Yes, first person point of view is encouraged, especially for this paper.)

I once paid for parking at the pay booth in the area. There was nothing to participate in the area except for walking and sitting in the area.

Engaging details.  What specific information must you include in your description of the place?  What potential does your place have for the use of sensory images, figurative language, dialogue, anecdotes, and showing rather than telling?  What do you want the dominant impression to be?

I would include information of the landscaper or the artist that created the waterfall. There is much potential for imagery such as naming the types of plants, the design or color of the area, and describing what signs say in the area. Furthermore, there is definitely symbolism that can be found within the color and materials used by the area

Generating Ideas and Text (taken from the Norton Field Guide (Goggin and Bullock) Chapter 16, pages 168-169)

Explore what you already know about your subject.  Why do you find this place interesting?  What did you already know about it?

I find the area intriguing because it is really different from other areas of the campus, and it has a beautiful waterfall that cannot be found anywhere else. I knew about the waterfall before observing it.

If you’re planning to interview someone, prepare questions.  What would you like to ask someone in the place in order to better understand it?

I would ask who the architect or landscaper and the reason for building.

Do additional research.  Does your place have an online component?  How else might you gather additional research?

There is no direct online component to the place, all I found was a quick reference to it on the ASU website.

Analyze your findings.  What patterns, images, or recurring ideas or phrases did you use to describe your place?  What contrasts or discrepancies do you see?

I used the pattern of finding symbolism within the color of plants and the objects and structures around the area. Furthermore, I found much contrast between the nature and the modern structures and I even found a style of trying to mesh nature and modern structure together.

Come up with an angle.  What is most memorable about your subject?  What most interests you?  What will interest your audience?

The most memorable aspect of the area is definitely the waterfall centerpiece. Why was this area built is what interests me the most.  What will interest the audience will be the symbolism of the colors and the types of materials used in the area.

Observation Notes on Sun Devil Canyon

Source: Jett Cattani

Elevated grassy area with the words "Sun Devil" Canyon carved into it.

1.      Made of grey concrete

a.       Represents reliability and security

b.      Less likely of breaking

The grass is fake.

1.      Saw people sleeping upon it

2.      Saw people eating on it

3.      Saw people doing homework on it

4.      Why is it fake?

a.       Cost of fake grass out way cost of maintenance

b.      It looks better?

c.       So people can lay comfortably on it

d.      Trying to push for modern look?

Bike racks 

1.      Many bikes locked upon them

2.      Reveals that the place attracts people that commute by bike

3.      Prevents people from locking their bikes to benches or signs in the area.

4.      Some bikes are missing front wheel and seat

a.       I have seen same M.O. done to other bikes around the campus.

Sand stone waterfall center piece

1.      Tan in color

a.       Color represents calmness

b.      Color of desert and nature

c.       Sandstone is just colored that way

2.      Metal Built into the rock

a.       Meshing modern architecture and materials with nature

3.      Glass or plastic also built into it

4.      Base of it is concrete

a.       What does it represent

                                                              i.      Security/ reliability

5.      By green shrubs and plants and trees. Not sure what type of tree but leaves probably turn brown and fall off in fall.

6.      Water flows down it

a.       Water presents cleanness

b.      Purity

c.       Zen like sound accenting to the atmosphere

d.      Just for flow of movement to what would normally just be still

e.       Gives character to the art

f.       Could the water flowing be symbolic of ASU in any way.

                                                              i.      Washing away party stereotype

                                                            ii.      Banning frat row

Multiple small trees

1.      Represents nature

2.      Pleasant for most to look at

3.      Appeases pro environmentalists

4.      Provides Green colors to balance the normal grey look of the area

5.      Green symbolizes energy and life

a.       Plants(green) create oxygen, thus providing life

Parking Lot pay booth

1.      Area for people to pay for the parking

2.      Provides necessary funds to the school

3.      Is a symbol of authority

4.      Made of concrete and glass and metal

5.      Has an artsy and modern look.

a.       Symbolic of the school trying to architecturally look modern

b.      Matches with the same architecture of the Fulton Center.

An Analysis of an Image: Time magazine's breast feeding cover

The cover of Time magazine's May, 2012 issue portrays a photo of a three year old boy standing on a chair and being breast fed by his mother, Jamie Lynne Grumet. They are both dressed in relatively normal casual attire. She is dressed like a normal mother with blue jeans and a shirt and her son looks like what a three year old would be wearing (sneakers, shorts, and a T-shirt). But the big part of this photo that stands out is the area where the little boy is breast feeding on his mother's exposed left breast. Furthermore, in bold, capitalized text it states "ARE YOU MOM ENOUGH?”. The cover is ultimately questioning the reader into thinking about if they have the courage to breast feed in public and or have what it takes to be attached to their children. Furthermore, it is trying to reveal to the general public what some parents do that are extreme (breast feeding in public) to have close attachments to their children.

Source: Time magazine

Time has chosen such a head turning cover in order to reveal or point out that in American society in this day and age, there has been an emergence of many taboos about breast feeding in public or to what age a mother should keep nurturing children. This cover photo ultimately shows both taboos about nurturing. The child looks to be too old to feed and the mother is feeding him in arguably the most public way possible. The reason that questioning this taboo is so important because on one hand breastfeeding is said to be very healthy and necessary for promoting infant health and vitality and on the other hand some feel it is not proper to breastfeed for longer than 6 months and to never do it publicly. In other countries breastfeeding in public is a natural common practice but somehow America and some other western countries feel that this once common practice is now inappropriate, regardless of health benefits. One of the reasons for this happening could be the fact that companies sell formula for babies have such aggressive add campaigns that have worked so well as to cause the entire society to view breastfeeding in public as unnecessary. Moreover, it is because our society still has not realized that breasts are not solely a sexual aspect of women but instead a more important tool to feed and nurse the young. Furthermore, if one were to dive deeper into how society thinks about caring for babies, many hypercritical ideas emerge. There is always talk about how a mother should be protecting and not risking any danger for a child before birth, by taking every precaution to stay safe. Yet after a the child is born, people say that mothers should not be breast feeding in public, thus not feeding them essential nutrients and putting the child at danger of being weak and unhealthy. Should it not be the same in or outside of the womb? There is much debate and this issue of Time magazine did a very good job of adding some more fuel to that fiery debate.

Analysis of a Writing Situation, Battle Over Michigan's New Swine Rules Goes Hog Wild

Nationwide, the country suffers from a staggering $1.8 billion dollars of damages each year to the nation's farms. The culprit of such destruction, wild boar. In the state of Michigan alone, there are over 3,000 wild boars running havoc and damaging farm land. The main species of boar that is so responsible for such carnage is the Russian boar. Thus, the state’s Department of Natural Resources has taken steps to place the Russian boar species on the invasive list, making it therefore illegal for anyone to raise and keep the swine. At first glance it seems like a perfectly reasonable action to take in order to preserve the thriving agriculture of the state, but of course such actions come with unintended consequences. There are in fact farmers such as Mark Baker, who has made a comfortable living off of raising swine for human consumption. Because of the new order, farmers like Blake will undoubtedly lose their entire business and investments and will additionally be charged with fines and jail if they do not comply with the new law. Furthermore, the DNR did not mean to hurt the swine industry and thus have guidelines when identifying pigs that are of the Russian boar species but unfortunately these guidelines have been sighted by many critics as being too vague. Ultimately there is now a law suit that has been filed by Baker and four other cases against Michigan DNR and if the judge rules in Baker's favor, it will ultimately end the Invasive Species Order. 

The writer's purpose to this article is most likely to enlighten readers on what is happening agriculturally, economically, and environmentally in the Nation. The writer is revealing that there are many Americans that go through economic hardships due to new state laws and environmental troubles. Furthermore, by creating this article it shows that there are two sides to every coin. Just because the Wild boar is a danger to farms and environment it doesn't mean it is not a benefit to other types of people and farmers.   Moreover, the article is defiantly intended for readers that have interest in agriculture, environment, and individual rights of people. The readers with those interests in mind would therefore read the article to get a better understanding of job opportunities (raising swine), states powers (making an animal illegal), and what other problems cost the country money (wild pigs damaging farms). Furthermore, in order to provide the reader with more evidence about wild boars and their effects on the environment, the authors used several sources. For example, the author used quotes from experts of wild boars to comment and support a point against the DNR a couple times. And not surprisingly also quoted the DNR's statements about the new order and their own perspective on how they are trying to help, not hurt the local agricultural industry. Moreover, through reading the article, there is a sense that the writers show a cultural understanding for both the swine farmers and the state. The farmer is just trying to take care of his family and maintain a business, whereas the state is trying to protect the overall environment. Though the solution to the boar infestation is harsh, it is still necessary for the greater good of the country. The writer shapes the article to portray to the readers' reading it that if Baker wins the case, the repercussions from putting down the Invasive Species Order may have even a greater destructive repercussion on farmers nationwide.