I realized that I need to be more specific with my topic. My original idea was using the theme of sororities, but as the Vice President: Membership of my own chapter, I sell Greek Life everyday. I need to hone in on one specific benefit of joining a sorority. The socio-economic benefits of life as both a collegiate Greek and an alum Greek have recently appealed to me. Some perks while still in college include minimum GPA requirements and study hours that promote academic success. I would also like to research a percentage of how many Greeks in the U.S. graduate with honors. Some perks post-graduation include life-long networking that could lead to career opportunities.
I Googled topics such as: "greek life and academics", "greek life networking advantages" and "sorority benefits"
Some links I found with quick facts:
https://cws.auburn.edu/studentaffairs/greekLife/ConMan_Uploads/files/Advantages%20of%20Greek%20Life%20on%20College%20Campuses.pdf
http://www.usatodayeducate.com/staging/index.php/campuslife/examining-the-benefits-of-greek-life
http://dailybruin.com/2011/09/13/_greek_life_benefits_students_through_its_networking_opportunities_friendships_/
Some links I found of articles that I would like to further research:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-campus/201109/how-fraternities-and-sororities-impact-students-or-do-they (this link also referenced the book that was loaned to me : Pledged by Alexandra Robbins)
http://dailybruin.com/2011/09/13/_greek_life_benefits_students_through_its_networking_opportunities_friendships_/
http://www.levo.com/articles/skills/sorority-networking-lessons
A book found on Google Books:
http://books.google.com/books?id=vLN2SJe965oC&pg=PA45&dq=sorority+life&hl=en&sa=X&ei=sd4DU6aFNKyU1AGyloHIDg&ved=0CCgQ6AEwADge#v=onepage&q=sorority%20life&f=false
After researching only for a short time, I've come to decide that networking will probably be the main argument for my thesis. Some supporting arguments will include building leadership skills, promoting academic excellence, and improving communication skills.
Obviously, Greek life is a highly controversial topic that is written about quite often. From what I have seen, Greeks write about the benefits and non-Greeks write about the deficits. This is not necessarily always true, but it has been the majority. I'm going to stick with my kind and bring light to joining a sorority. I think I will find success because it is a topic I am extremely passionate about.
I think you have misunderstood my suggestion that you find a more analytic topic and a controversial one, meaning one that you can argue about in an academic way. I did not mean that the controversy should be "for" or "against" Greeks or that you need to pick a side. No. Academic arguments are not about picking sides or sticking with your "kind" or showing your true colors or showing your passion. In fact, it is best to be dispassionate and to begin with an academic distance on the subject so that you can make a logical, unbiased argument supported by research. And you need a scholarly framework for analysis.
ReplyDeleteThat said, the idea of "social capital," along the lines that Armstrong & Hamilton discuss, would be a good focus -- and I think what you discover might end up benefiting your recruitment efforts also.