Problem
So I've got a slight problem and I just need to bounce ideas and write at the moment.
My problem has to do with my research paper for this semester and deciding what I want to write about. I will describe my options and then give pros and cons.
1. The treatment of the Roma/Sinti/Gypsies throughout history, with a special emphasis on their treatment under the Nazis during WWII.
Pros: I really want to learn about the history of these people. I want to give them a voice and make some people aware of how they have been treated through history. I want to know why they have been targeted and why they have not assimilated like so many other groups. Interest level is very high.
Cons: I'm not sure how available sources are. I'm not sure how much of a language barrier there will be. I'm also not sure how viable the subject is.
2. A comparative analysis of the treatment of internees at Manzanar Interment Camp and Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
Pros: I have a ton of sources available on Manzanar at the actual site. There are many survivors. It would be a very interesting paper.
Cons: While this would be an interesting topic, I kinda feel like it is something that I would do just because someone else wants me to do it. Almost like I feel like I owe the camp something since I worked there this summer. Since I got back from Europe I've known that I don't want to my paper on anything American history wise (though I am starting to rethink that). I just feel that since I spent some time there working and I have so many sources available that I should do something as a final product of what I did there. This would also be an incredibly intense and depressing topic.
I still need to talk to my adviser and my professor. I'm not sure anymore that I would really love to either of them. I don't want to work on a subject and end up hating it. Our professors (rightly so) keep stressing the fact that we need to work on something that we love. I'm not sure what I love at this point. The paper will end up being 20-25 pages, due Nov. 24. I just have to have my topic chosen by this next Monday. I am also supposed to meet with my potential mentor sometime this week, but I can't really choose anyone because I don't even know what I want to write on.
At the moment I'm a little stressed and anxious about what to choose. If I don't choose one of these I'm not sure what I would do. I considered doing something with the Balkans, but I know while I'm interested in that I'm not in love with it. The people there are wonderful, I just don't want to write so much about it. The same is true with the Troubles in Ireland.
Maybe something to do with WWII in the Pacific, since my great-grandpa fought there, but like I mentioned I don't really want to do American history. I want to do something that has not really been done before. I would love it if it could do with Europe Semester. Maybe something to do with the wall and communism in Eastern Europe. Maybe some of the revolutions.
Any thoughts? I want to know you all's opinions, but at the same time I don't want to make my decision based on what you say... sorry about putting you in a hard spot.
I have some other reading to get done tonight, so I will talk to you all later.
Thanks
My problem has to do with my research paper for this semester and deciding what I want to write about. I will describe my options and then give pros and cons.
1. The treatment of the Roma/Sinti/Gypsies throughout history, with a special emphasis on their treatment under the Nazis during WWII.
Pros: I really want to learn about the history of these people. I want to give them a voice and make some people aware of how they have been treated through history. I want to know why they have been targeted and why they have not assimilated like so many other groups. Interest level is very high.
Cons: I'm not sure how available sources are. I'm not sure how much of a language barrier there will be. I'm also not sure how viable the subject is.
2. A comparative analysis of the treatment of internees at Manzanar Interment Camp and Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
Pros: I have a ton of sources available on Manzanar at the actual site. There are many survivors. It would be a very interesting paper.
Cons: While this would be an interesting topic, I kinda feel like it is something that I would do just because someone else wants me to do it. Almost like I feel like I owe the camp something since I worked there this summer. Since I got back from Europe I've known that I don't want to my paper on anything American history wise (though I am starting to rethink that). I just feel that since I spent some time there working and I have so many sources available that I should do something as a final product of what I did there. This would also be an incredibly intense and depressing topic.
I still need to talk to my adviser and my professor. I'm not sure anymore that I would really love to either of them. I don't want to work on a subject and end up hating it. Our professors (rightly so) keep stressing the fact that we need to work on something that we love. I'm not sure what I love at this point. The paper will end up being 20-25 pages, due Nov. 24. I just have to have my topic chosen by this next Monday. I am also supposed to meet with my potential mentor sometime this week, but I can't really choose anyone because I don't even know what I want to write on.
At the moment I'm a little stressed and anxious about what to choose. If I don't choose one of these I'm not sure what I would do. I considered doing something with the Balkans, but I know while I'm interested in that I'm not in love with it. The people there are wonderful, I just don't want to write so much about it. The same is true with the Troubles in Ireland.
Maybe something to do with WWII in the Pacific, since my great-grandpa fought there, but like I mentioned I don't really want to do American history. I want to do something that has not really been done before. I would love it if it could do with Europe Semester. Maybe something to do with the wall and communism in Eastern Europe. Maybe some of the revolutions.
Any thoughts? I want to know you all's opinions, but at the same time I don't want to make my decision based on what you say... sorry about putting you in a hard spot.
I have some other reading to get done tonight, so I will talk to you all later.
Thanks