Since I’m taking multiple other IS classes this semester, I’m presented with a unique opportunity to glean from 3 different facets of the International Studies major. In COL Holston’s IS-340 course, I’m presented with a theoretical view of the politics. In Dr. Heuer’s IS-230, I focus on comparing and interpreting the computer-generated data gleaned in IS-301 (also related to politics). The further I get in my studies, I’ve found it’s much less difficult to build on the concepts I’ve studied in previous courses since I’ve had time to internalize the lessons.
For example, as we progress further in IS-301, I’m struck by how much easier it is to understand why and how data is collected. The combined simplicity of the textbook and the uniquely independent classroom environment allow me to always leave having learned something new. I’m also better able to draw connections between Computer Analysis and Comparative, one example being understanding some of the methods by which scientific data is collected through qualitative and quantitative methods. Comparative shows me how it is collected and analyzed, while Computer Analysis shows how the data is processed and computed.
I’m interested to see how our projects start to come together once we’ve had some time to work on them. I think that if my group is able to come up with a compelling research question, it should become clear what our next steps should be in finding the research to support a conclusion. Although I’m not entirely sure what that will look like, I am excited to see what it’s like systematically conducting hands on research to answer a question that (I assume) my group and I genuinely want an answer for. We’ll see where the next few weeks take us!
