After reading two dissertations, one on public policy and the other on humanities, I have found that both texts employ reflective approaches to enhance personal research and writing abilities. This paper serves as a reflective response to the aforementioned doctoral dissertations, providing various commentaries on their strengths and weaknesses, aspects from which one can learn, theoretical approaches, methodologies, and practical implementation matters. Furthermore, my impressions of the two papers are also provided.
Reflection Paper Example
Idowu’s dissertation examines Nigerian literature and explores Ogunyemi's use of a womanist approach in his writings. The author challenges the previous belief that the playwright's work is predominantly chauvinistic and delves into the womanist perspective employed by Ogunyemi. Additionally, the dissertation seeks to compare and contrast Ogunyemi's use of womanist approaches with the perspectives of other renown
...ed scholars in the field.
In contrast, Rugenstein’s dissertation focuses on the policy factors that contributed to violent conflicts between the United States government and the tribal government of Akwasasne. The escalating actions of the New York state government, which consistently disregarded pleas from the tribal government, resulted in atrocities and fatalities during this period of violence. The lack of culturally appropriate communication further exacerbated the violence experienced by the people.
One of the strengths of these dissertations is their emphasis on a specific area of study. Narrowing the focus is crucial in creating a successful doctoral thesis. The goal of the thesis is to identify a problem within a larger field of literature. Both authors have effectively identified issues within their areas of interest and pursued them. However, a weakness in these theses is the failure to fully acknowledge and appreciate counterarguments. While Idowu recognize
previous mentions of the male-dominated aspect of Ogunyemi's work, he mainly concentrates on the womanist approach without considering alternative viewpoints. In contrast, Rugenstein explores the thesis that misinformed communication engenders conflict between the tribal government and the US and Canadian governments.
Reflective Essay
Strengths and Limitations of the Dissertations
One aspect that can be derived from both dissertations is the significant utilization of research in formulating and validating arguments. Research-based arguments offer unequivocal evidence while presenting an argument. Idowu, for instance, relies on extensive research conducted by womanist scholars who have extensively written about the topic. This demonstrates that various analysts can depict women in diverse ways while evaluating the same work. By highlighting these points, Idowu is able to extrapolate the qualities of Ogunyemi's work that align with the scholars' descriptions, thus solidifying his argument regarding the womanist portrayal of the playwright. Consequently, his extensively researched work presents a well-grounded argument encompassing the potential angles that the argument can take.
Personal Research Guides
The lack of proper communication between governments can have adverse effects on their citizens, as Rugenstein argued using the well-researched case example of the New York State government and the tribal government of the Mohawks. Therefore, when discussing the role of black women in the oil and gas industry, it is important to conduct extensive research and engage in wide reading to present critical points accurately. Valid conclusions can be obtained by presenting a firm theoretical framework, which will ensure a balanced and unbiased reflection of the information found in various forms of literature.
The paper by Idowu incorporates theoretical perspectives from womanist theories, drawing on approaches such as Marxism and feminism, including the work of
Rene Denfeld and others. Idowu also explores the system theory and the role of social work treatment in Rugenstein's work. The author highlights the importance of conducting social work within an established system and examines theories on the emergence of violence, attributing it to the non-recognition of Mohawk sovereignty. Both authors utilize different methodologies; Rugenstein employs qualitative and quantitative data to analyze the reasons behind the violence, while Idowu's research is purely analytical and based on quantitative data. Additionally, Idowu analyzes six works by the author to demonstrate that womanist approaches were incorporated despite the traditional chauvinistic nature of the field.
Refltction Essay Example
My Personal Impressions about the Dissertations
Idowu's dissertation stands out for its thorough examination of six specific works, with a keen focus on meeting the study's objectives. Through a comprehensive analysis, Idowu explores the portrayal of the male dominant Nigerian society and the representation of womanism within these works. In contrast, Rugenstein offers two contrasting theories on the root cause of the violence that erupted between the Mohawks and US citizens. He suggests that the conflict may have stemmed from either the potential for a civil war or a breakdown in communication between the parties involved.
Personal Concerns on the Dissertations
My main concern is the lack of logical presentation of ideas in the dissertations. The information is presented in large chunks without any organization, forcing the reader to extract the information and draw their own conclusions. To improve this, it would be helpful to use subtitles, which would guide the reader towards the necessary information and enhance the readability of the entire thesis. Additionally, providing titles would enhance understanding of the points within the
theses. Clear and comprehensible subheadings would allow a third party reader to fully grasp the contents of the thesis.
Key concepts in the dissertations
Idowu's idea of post-colonial African writers potentially portraying women positively challenges the common belief that these writers perpetuate a male-dominant society in Africa. Ogunyemi's work exemplifies the progress towards greater acceptance of women in African culture. Conversely, Rugenstein explores alternative problem-solving approaches for diplomats, considering the importance of sovereignty and governmental authority.
Additional Thoughts
Idowu’s dissertation has opened up a new area of study that is focused on womanist approaches from the African writer’s perspective. This research will be valuable for future studies on the subject. It is believed that African literary works contain a wealth of womanist material that can provide fresh understanding on how African post-colonial societies are connected to women's empowerment and advancement.
On the other hand, Rugenstein's work offers new insights into the relationship between sovereignty, communication, and issues related to national and international security. A case study conducted on the Mohawks revealed that failure to consider these two factors resulted in loss of lives and property destruction.
References
The given text is a citation of a dissertation document written by Idowu, T. The title of the document is "Speaking Truths As We Know Them: The Social Significance of the Depictions of Women in the Plays of Wale Ogunyemi." It was written on April 13, 2013. The document was published in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States by Union Institute & University.
Rugenstein, E. (2009, June 9). Clash of Cultures: Uprising At Akwesasne. Dissertation Document. Cincinnati, Ohio, United States: Union Institute and University.
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