So, as I have stated on a previous blog, I was not really feeling incredibly inspired by my previously sort-of narrow topic, so I went today and talked to Micalee (which I would highly, highly suggest if you are the least bit lost). Previously, I was focusing on the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory and the immigrant workers (most likely women). Although this still does have to do with my topic, it is changing a bit.
Now, and remember this is just a starting off point, I am working with women workers in the progressive era. My plan is to not only look at them as a community of workers, but also what they did in their leisure time. To explain, it would be more of a focus on the communal affects of leisure. This way, I will probably be looking at a variety of industries but focusing solely on one group of people (which is yet to be determined, i.e. Italian women, Jewish, etc.) I suppose I will be looking for a strong ethnic community.
Micalee was able to provide me with a lot of book ideas which I will be getting from the library tomorrow. The ones I am definitely looking at are Coney Island Park, Cheap Amusments, and Ladies of Labor, Girls of Adventure.
I am looking forward to digging deeper into my research and am very glad I am more comfortable with my topic!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Reessseeaarrcchh!!
Hi Everyone!
I hope your research is going well! Over the past couple of days I have tried to think out a plan in terms of what I am going to focus on in my paper and how I am going to make it understandable to the class. I have definitely decided to focus on immigrant women as my community since they played such a prominent role in the shirtwaist factory. I am actually quite interested in this aspect because I want to see how their past influenced their actions at the factory. Not only this, but the many strikes that these women (and some men) were involved in that lead to alterations in workers' rights.
Not only this, but I have really been trying to take some of the info in Craft of Research to heart. Our second portion of reading explained how, before delving into too much research, we should pick a question. I am still stumbling a little bit on what my question should be. I also would like my question to be practical and understandable. So, should it be something like, how does the past of a laborer influence the future? Or, should it be something less general.
I suppose that is where I am at for now! I know that I will be coming up with a more organized question and lay out soon so I will keep you posted.
P.S. I have been researching some videos (yes, on YouTube but they are still interesting) so I will probably be posting at least one!
I hope your research is going well! Over the past couple of days I have tried to think out a plan in terms of what I am going to focus on in my paper and how I am going to make it understandable to the class. I have definitely decided to focus on immigrant women as my community since they played such a prominent role in the shirtwaist factory. I am actually quite interested in this aspect because I want to see how their past influenced their actions at the factory. Not only this, but the many strikes that these women (and some men) were involved in that lead to alterations in workers' rights.
Not only this, but I have really been trying to take some of the info in Craft of Research to heart. Our second portion of reading explained how, before delving into too much research, we should pick a question. I am still stumbling a little bit on what my question should be. I also would like my question to be practical and understandable. So, should it be something like, how does the past of a laborer influence the future? Or, should it be something less general.
I suppose that is where I am at for now! I know that I will be coming up with a more organized question and lay out soon so I will keep you posted.
P.S. I have been researching some videos (yes, on YouTube but they are still interesting) so I will probably be posting at least one!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Nevermind!
Well after e-mailing Micalee and thinking it over, I have decided to stick with my original topic, sorry for the confusion! It just seems that since I have already begun research and checked out books, it would be significant backtracking to start over!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Topic Change?
Sooo,
As I have been posting, I was sort of interested in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory community. However, I was sitting in class today and thinking that maybe I could start looking at educational communities, such as a community of teachers or something like that. It is not that I am not interested in the factory, but I feel I would be more interested in this. Due to the fact that I am in the College of Ed., it definitely relates to my field. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know!
As I have been posting, I was sort of interested in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory community. However, I was sitting in class today and thinking that maybe I could start looking at educational communities, such as a community of teachers or something like that. It is not that I am not interested in the factory, but I feel I would be more interested in this. Due to the fact that I am in the College of Ed., it definitely relates to my field. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Library
Sooo....
After class on Thursday I was searching online through the library for books on my topic and later that day was able to go there and actually find them. I found tons of books! I just wanted to let everyone know that typing in a bunch of different topics and information will provide you with a ton of sources. I was able to leave with four books on my topic that have a lot of interesting info.
I was also very happy to find that these books did not focus solely on the Triangle Factory Fire but more so about the community and what led up to the strikes in New York in the early 1900's. I have been focusing more so on the immigrant women as a community, and might even narrow it down to immigrant women of the Jewish culture.
Finally, I was also able to find a book that had newspaper articles in it describing the area in which the factory was located and the articles pre and post the fire.
I hope everyone has as much luck as I did if they are searching for sources!
After class on Thursday I was searching online through the library for books on my topic and later that day was able to go there and actually find them. I found tons of books! I just wanted to let everyone know that typing in a bunch of different topics and information will provide you with a ton of sources. I was able to leave with four books on my topic that have a lot of interesting info.
I was also very happy to find that these books did not focus solely on the Triangle Factory Fire but more so about the community and what led up to the strikes in New York in the early 1900's. I have been focusing more so on the immigrant women as a community, and might even narrow it down to immigrant women of the Jewish culture.
Finally, I was also able to find a book that had newspaper articles in it describing the area in which the factory was located and the articles pre and post the fire.
I hope everyone has as much luck as I did if they are searching for sources!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Still lookin...
I have still been scoping out information about the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York. As Micalee commented, there seems to be a lot of information pertaining to the fire, but not a lot about the community! I am still playing back and forth with whether this should be my topic or not so I am still open to suggestions.
However, I have been able to find quite a few sources through our own MSU library. I have even stumbled upon a few first-hand accounts of the event, but, as we have been taught, I am being skeptical of these because I want to make sure that they are accurate.
I am also looking at a group of men referred to as "The Molly Maguires." These workers mined in a county of Pennsylvania called Schuylkill. The title Molly was given to any miner who was for unionization and typically anyone who fought against the corporation. Basically, the only information I have so far is just about these workers' fight for better rights in the mines. I am working on seeing how close of a community this was!
However, I have been able to find quite a few sources through our own MSU library. I have even stumbled upon a few first-hand accounts of the event, but, as we have been taught, I am being skeptical of these because I want to make sure that they are accurate.
I am also looking at a group of men referred to as "The Molly Maguires." These workers mined in a county of Pennsylvania called Schuylkill. The title Molly was given to any miner who was for unionization and typically anyone who fought against the corporation. Basically, the only information I have so far is just about these workers' fight for better rights in the mines. I am working on seeing how close of a community this was!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Triangle Factory Fire
I have been doing some research for my topic and have stumbled about information about the Triangle Factory Fire. The Triangle Factory, a clothing factory in New York City, caught fire due to unsafe working conditions in 1911. According to The Story of the Triangle Fire, "This incident has had great significance to this day because it highlights the inhumane working conditions to which industrial workers can be subjected." The fire sparked (no pun intended) controversy amongst the friends, family, and workers of this community to fight back.
This sweatshop, as it is referred to as, reminds me of the video that we watched in class. Only when horrible accidents begin happening do the owners of the companies begin to notice. Not only this, but the Triangle Factory's workers were not in a union as well. Finally, the fact that after the fire killed over a hundred immigrant workers, protest began for a unionized and safer workplace. The immigrants made up this community and each male and/or female member of the family worked for the factory; therefore, factors concerning the workers were important not just to individuals, but the entire COMMUNITY.
I am not exactly sure if this will work yet for my research project but I am still doing research on it!
This sweatshop, as it is referred to as, reminds me of the video that we watched in class. Only when horrible accidents begin happening do the owners of the companies begin to notice. Not only this, but the Triangle Factory's workers were not in a union as well. Finally, the fact that after the fire killed over a hundred immigrant workers, protest began for a unionized and safer workplace. The immigrants made up this community and each male and/or female member of the family worked for the factory; therefore, factors concerning the workers were important not just to individuals, but the entire COMMUNITY.
I am not exactly sure if this will work yet for my research project but I am still doing research on it!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Intro. Blog
Hi Everyone!
I am actually having a bit of trouble picking my research topic! I have been looking at books and searching online to narrow down my field of possibilities but it does not seem to be working! If anyone has any pointers as to how to figure it out let me know.
In terms of my favorite historical topics/eras, I really enjoy European colonization and the controversy that comes along with it. Not only this, but also African history and African American history. I tend to have a thing for controversy and conflict throughout United States' history as to how it affects our perceptions and ideals today, etc.
I am looking forward to picking a topic for my research project because I do enjoy searching out the details of not only historical events, but also just bits of history that lead towards the world we live in today.
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