A few books and articles I have been reading give specific case studies or examples of social capital and networks. I am still making attempts to hypothesize how the theory applies to my topic in the theoretical section of my proposal, but are you recommending that I also use some of the case studies and examples the author's use to help the readers understand how the theory is applied?
I found a good book w/ several case studies that critiques Putnam's theories of social capital in his Bowling Alone book:
Arneil, B. (2006). Diverse Communities, The Problem with Social Capital. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.
I checked it out from the library, so please don't recall my copy. But it may reflect some of the criticism's Dr. Rhodes had of Putnam's work.
According to Arneil Putnam is part of an American school of civic thought that sees civic society as a critical component of a robust American democracy. Putnam and Coleman view that civic life in U.S. has declined or collapsed. Arneil criticizes that Putnam and Coleman look at the amount of connectedness in American society, but pay little attention to the nature of the connections. Arneil views how communities are formed and the kinds of connections they form are critical to the meaning of community. Arneil proposes that the nature of the connections in any community is what determines its capacity for social justice.
Also Arneil criticizes that Putnam and Coleman see capital as an asset, unproblematic, as positive, and only sees the outcomes of capital. Community is seen as an entity that allows individuals to more effectively achieve shared objectivness. According to Arneil the problem is that groups who historically have been oppressed (women and minorities) work towards building social capital but see others benefit from the rewards.
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"Cases"
Okay, let's go to church!
Remember Sunday School and the Parables? They are short stories used to help you understand the 'take-aways' in the preacher's sermons.
Well, think of cases or stories/parables that help you 'see' how to apply the 'lessons' of community building to specific, real life human situations.
At this point, you don't need to be literal in reporting on specific cases you find elsewhere, unless it has direct relevance to the human situation in your own project.
Human stories are all around us, everyday. Current events supply parables/cases; there are cases/parables in the research literature. You can find aspects of your project/topic in them. You don't need to necessarily report on them in detail.
Well, take us to church rev.
Ok, thanks for the clarity Dr. Rhodes because I had similar questions about the case study. I think I want to utilize the current economic crisis as a case study and how the "bail out" is being implemented. I was not sure if I had to rehash the entire ordeal or just the area of interest. So I guess the human situation impacted by the bail out will suffice.
I'm also interested in the comment by Albert. How does one apply a social capital theory to the finacial crisis and bail out?
Okay this definitely is something (case studies) that should be expanded upon in class on Wednesday. Didn't even think I could use current events to demonstrate the application of the theory as a preview to how it will be applied in my study.
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