Capstone Selecting A Topic

What is a Social Problem It must harm a significant number of people or an influential segment of the population It must occur frequently (not a 1 time event) It must be able to be remedied by collective human action (this means Government)

What is Not a Social problem Something that is produced by natural or biological conditions (getting older, hair loss) Something that is purely a private issue Something that is a pure ethical argument (what is right and what is wrong)

What can We do about it? What is social Policy? Types of Social Policy – Preventive Measures- too difficult – Intervention- most common – Broad Social Reform- never happens

Should We Solve the Problem? Can We afford the Cost? Does it create spillover effects? Is it Feasible? Policy makers find that doing nothing is often the best solution!

If No one is trying to solve your social problem, then it is not a political controversy

SOCIAL PROBLEM VS. SOCIAL POLICY

Examples: Social Problem  Immigration  Failing Public Schools  National Debt  Global Warming Controversial Solution  Dream Act  Race to the Top  Fair Tax  Cap and Trade

A Good topic has a social problem that has a solution and decision makers are actively trying to solve it

GOOD AND BAD TOPICS

Good Topics are not statements The thesis is stated in the form of a question because your Capstone paper explores both sides of a controversy without bias. Check your topic question for neutral language. Avoid words like “wrong,” “prevent,” “avoid” that indicate you hold a position on the topic.

Good Topics are Normative The Opposite of Empirical Based on what we think should be Usually involves the words “should” or “ought to” “Should the Federal Government allow off-shore drilling”

Good Topics are controversial They do not involve symbolic politics There are real people (interest groups, legislators, political parties) who care about your topic The above groups will answer yes or no to your question

Good Topics Have A Real Solution A political controversy without a solution, is just Drunk Talk – Who is/was the best president? – A lion vs. a bear in a cage match? – Who would win in a fight Batman or Spiderman? Real Solutions take the form of policy outputs (laws)

Good Topics have a clear level of analysis A good topic has some level of government actively working on it A theoretical “government” solution is not a good topic

What is a unit of analysis? The Level of Government that has jurisdiction over the social problem Not all governments are powerful in all areas Which means that saying the “government” simply isn’t enough?

How many units? 1 Federal 50 State 3,033 County Governments 36,000 Local Governments 13,051 School Districts 37,381 Special Districts – Utility Districts- PEC – Hospital Districts – Transit Districts- e.g. CAP Metro – Park Districts – Water Districts- e.g. LCRA – And more!

What Does This Mean? There are roughly 89,500 governments that have legal authority over policymaking. 4,835 in Texas alone! Some governments are impotent in certain policy areas, while extremely powerful in others. When selecting a topic, you must choose it in the context of the proper unit of analysis.

Who is More Powerful? National Government National Defense Commerce Policy Environmental Policy Macro-level regulation Immigration State Governments Education Law Enforcement/Crime Mass Transit/Traffic Social Services

A Good Topic is Practical Ask yourself, can you write 30 pages on this? Can you find people to interview Can you do a service project on your topic

What is not a good topic Banned Topics Dilemmas from other nations and esoteric foreign policy Lopsided Topics and Culture War issues (science vs. values) Conspiracy theories (short on evidence) Issues not subject to government regulation in some way Sports Issues: i.e. BCS policies

Where to find good topics Google News Newspapers The White House Page/ State of the Union The Library

Good or Bad? What are the effects of Embryonic stem cell research? Should the US lift the trade embargo on North Korea? Should the use of cell phones be prohibiting while driving? Why is the war in Afghanistan wrong?

Good or Bad Is global warming detrimental to human existence? Should the Federal Government pass a cap-and-trade bill to combat global warming Why has the federal government diminished the rights of citizens since 9/11?

Good or Bad Should Texas adopt a pay by the mile gas tax? Should the burning of the flag be made unconstitutional Should Botswana charge fees for state education?

Good Macro Topic Areas State and Federal Income programs Economic Policies Immigration Energy and the Environment Foreign Policy with troublesome nations Social Security Budgets and deficits Education at the State level Campaign finance/electoral reform Transportation (federal, state and local) Health Care Repeal/Reform