Annotated Bibliography

Knowlton, David. “Born Into Brothels Revisited.” BIS 337 Final Essay. Winter 2019

In this piece the author examines developmental risk factors faced by a group of children growing up in one of the red light districts in Calcutta, India as documented in the film Born into Brothels. The documentary by Zana Briski followed her attempts to teach photography to a group of children in the red light district as a means of helping them break away from their environment. Although the children faced a number of risk factors in their daily lives such as both verbal and physical abuse, poverty, and exposure to drugs and alcohol, some of them were able to succeed despite this while others fell victim to their environments. Those children demonstrating an external locus of control; believing their outcome to be determined by elements outside of their own control were more likely to remain within the environment, whereas those demonstrating an internal locus of control and believing their successes and failures to be due to factors within their control.

I selected this artifact for my archive as it demonstrates the diversity of the courses I took during my college career. This class presented a unique challenge being that it was a class in developmental psychology; consisting of a new subject matter and citation method of which I was unfamiliar while having nothing to do with my Law, Economics, and Public Policy major.

Knowlton, David, et al. “Case Study #3” BISGST 324 Case Study Analysis. Winter 2020

The authors of this piece analyze the Egyptian economy following the aid granted by the International Monetary Fund. Using data gathered from the IMF and World Bank, the authors were able to detail how loans granted by the IMF to Egypt although having short-term benefits to Egyptian GDP negatively impacted the Nation’s economy in the long-run. The IMF policies adopted as a condition for the loan including decreasing public spending, subsidies, and regulations; while liberalizing trade and increasing privatization had been pushed on the Nation by creditor States. Through this project the authors identify how the financial aid and policies damaged the Egyptian economy and how international policies and events pushed the Egyptian Government into reluctantly agreeing to such terms.

I selected this artifact for my archive as it demonstrates a multitude of skills I have spent my college career improving. Through this assignment I was able to improve in collaboration on group assignments, conducting research, and analyzing economic data through primary and secondary sources. This course, in requiring me to break down information that proved more complex and difficult to interpret than most economic courses I had taken up to this point, significantly improved my ability to conduct economic research, understand economic concepts, and implement knowledge of international relations gathered from other courses. As a result I believe this course to be significant to the development of my degree in Law Economics, and Public Policy.

Knowlton, David. “Final Policy Memo.” BISLEP 302 Policy Analysis Memo. Spring 2019

This piece identifies the American Opioid Crisis as a major issue facing the country. The author proposes a detailed policy in response to the problem, noting that although there has been an overall decrease in opioid additions stemming from prescriptions; the crisis has evolved with adults using heroin at higher rates, while also being introduced to illicit opioids at younger ages. The crisis has contributed to the loss of $1 trillion in the US economy between 2001 and 2018 due to lost wages and productivity resulting from premature deaths resulting from overdoses. The author’s policy primarily aims to curtail the crisis in lower income communities most impacted.

This artifact was inspired by a previous assignment completed in a different course, which had involved research relating to the Opioid epidemic. This assignment allowed me to combine the research I had conducted previously and pair it with my newly acquired knowledge in creating researched policy proposals in order to present a policy solution. The more I began to work on and research the opioid epidemic for this project specifically, the more I came to realize that this an issue I care deeply about and hope to get more involved in professionally following graduation.

Knowlton, David. “Inquiry into I-1631.” BIS 300 Research Paper. Autumn 2018

This piece explores the recent failure of Washington’s Initiative I-1631 aiming to place a carbon tax on large carbon emitters. The author argues that the failure of the initiative came from a lack of financial support for the Yes-campaign which had a significantly lower budget than the No- Campaign. The campaign against the proposed carbon tax had been funded primarily by the petroleum industry and used its $30 million budget to dominate the airwaves with ads that the Yes-campaign could not afford to counter. The article uses financial data and public polling to demonstrate the effectiveness of the No-campaign in misleading voters.

I choose to archive this artifact due to the unique challenge presented in this assignment. The assignment required me to research why the initiative failed only weeks after the vote was decided, making data difficult to find and analyze forcing me to make the most of the limited resources that were available. Additionally it also demonstrates my ability to use and analyze primary sources to support an argument.

Knowlton, David. “One Belt One Road: China’s Economic Exploitation.” BIS 284 Final Research Paper. Autumn 2018

The author of this piece argues that China’s One Belt One Road Initiative is being used to exploit other countries economically. Using various sources, the paper compares official statements given by the Chinese government relating the One Belt One Road Initiative to actions taken throughout the region. The resulting works highlight how China’s granting of loans and other foreign aid is being used to expand its presence on the global stage, strengthen its economy, and acquire land in economically and militarily strategic positions; a contradiction to China’s claims of attempting to boost foreign relations and aiding in the development of poorer nations.

I selected this artifact for my archive as it was the first assignment in which I was able to connect what I had learned in a previous course relating to economics and geopolitics. This assignment helped me to develop my skills relating to research and writing . I also consider this significant as it was also one of the first in depth research projects I completed after transferring to UWB.

Knowlton, David. “OPEC's Influence on the Oil Market.” BIS 300 Research Paper. Autumn 2018

In this article, the author investigates the rise and fall of OPEC's influence on the global oil market and how it relates to the current oil market. Although the industrialized nations were able to control access to oil reserves in the Middle East in the first half of the century. This exploitation of resources led to oil producing nations coming together to form OPEC in order to improve bargaining power against major oil companies via the coordination of petroleum policies among member nations. This proved successful and resulted in OPEC member nations being responsible for over half of the world's oil production by the late 1960's. By 1973 OPEC began using oil as a political weapon by driving up the price of oil via coordinating the supply and tax on oil, bringing in significant revenue for member nations while causing oil dependent nations such as the United States to reach a recession. OPEC’s control of the oil market declined beginning in the 1980's due to a decrease in the global demand for oil, increased competition, and a lack of coordination among member nations. Although OPEC maintains a level of influence over the global oil market, the primary influence impacting oil price is demand and driven primarily by China, Japan, and India.

I chose to include this artifact in my archive because it demonstrates my ability to conduct research into the past to explain current events. I additionally chose to include this artifact as it demonstrates my academic research early in my academic career, which I believe has since improved.

Knowlton, David. “Opioid Epidemic.” BIS 217 Research Brief. Autumn 2018

This research brief examines the role pharmaceutical companies have played relating to the American healthcare System and the resulting evolution of the American Opioid Crisis. The paper looks at how companies such as Purdue encouraged doctors to prescribe opioids to address chronic pain while downplaying the addictive nature of the drug. The author proposes that in order to respond to the crisis policies must be enacted to limit opioid prescriptions to those who are terminally ill and would be less likely to experience the long term negative side effects of these drugs. Additionally, the brief argues against the aforementioned policy, on the grounds that the majority of those addicted to opioids never had them prescribed to begin with, and therefore shouldn't be denied to those experiencing chronic pain.

This artifact is significant as it allowed me to reflect on my own views and practice challenging my own ideas as a way of strengthening my arguments. The artifact not only forced me to research a policy issue and propose a solution; but to also formulate a researched argument against a policy I believed in. In doing so I was able to develop better reflective skills that I would use throughout the rest of my IAS courses, while also sparking an interest in the topic.

Knowlton, David. “Response Paper #2” BIS 374 Response Paper. Winter 2020

In this paper the author suggests that Western colonialism in the Middle East is the most important lens with which to understand the modern Middle East. The author calls attention to both the Husayn-McMahon correspondence of 1916 and the introduction of British propaganda campaigns politicizing Islam; which aimed to unite various tribes against the Ottoman Empire and connect the Koran to Democracy in Iraq during WWII respectively. These events both demonstrate how the Western Powers attempted to influence Middle Eastern politics in their favor without direct interference. the examples are claimed to support the idea that although the role of Islam as the dominant religion of the region as well as societal aspects of the region such tribalism have impacted the modern Middle East; the weaponization of both institutions by the British and French governments to sow division within the region and maintain their colonial legacy demonstrate why Western colonialism is key to understanding the modern Middle East.

I selected the artifact for my archive because it allowed me to reflect on my previous coursework in BIS 284 International Relations and apply what I had learned relating to the evolving diplomatic relationship between the Western Colonial Powers and the Middle East. Additionally this assignment highlights my skills in engaging with texts to build an argument while demonstrating my further growth in writing a more concise research paper.

Knowlton, David. “Sentencing Reform and Mass Incarceration in Washington State.” BIS 336 Final Research Paper. Autumn 2019

This article analyzes the Washington State Sentencing Reform Act (SRA) of 1981, using both primary and secondary sources to demonstrate how the SRA negatively impacted the Washington State criminal justice system. Prior to the SRA’s passing Washington State prisons utilized a system of indeterminate sentencing decided by a parole board; with rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals being the primary goal. The SRA was passed in 1981 as means to create uniformity across sentencing. The impact of this legislation led to increased sentence lengths, elimination of the State Parole Board, and shifted the criminal justice system away from the rehabilitative model in favor of a punitive model. Since its passing the SRA directly contributed to the rise of mass incarceration in Washington State which has been made worse by a series of public initiatives such as the addition of Washington’s three strikes law in 1993 and the Hard Time for Armed Crime bill passed in 1995; furthering the punitive model of criminal justice. The combination of policies mentioned is argued to have directly contributed to a more expensive criminal justice system, while failing to curtail both the crime rate and rates of recidivism.

I selected this artifact for my archive because it was an assignment I struggled with quite a bit. The reason for this being so difficult was due to the subject matter containing a significant amount of relevant information while being confined to a maximum of six pages; while also requiring ten primary and five secondary sources. The assignment required me to be far more concise while presenting my argument, which is a skill I have often struggled with.

Knowlton, David, et al. “Descriptive Statistics” BIS 315 Statistics Lab. Autumn 2019

This artifact breaks down a wide array of statistical data generated through SPSS. The authors of this piece used the data available to demonstrate the attitudes of individuals surveyed relating to how they spend their time, comparing data over the course of a thirty year span. The authors then spent time discussing possible explanations for the trends in the data.

I selected this artifact specifically because it was an assignment I struggled with more than many others. Previous to taking this course I had struggled with Statistics and lacked any experience with statistics software. This assignment forced me to learn new skills and go out of my comfort zone, although I struggled with this course I managed to learn a lot and gained experience that I can take with me in my future endeavors.

Knowlton, David. “Vermeer’s Hat” IDS 100 Response Paper. Winter 2017

This four-page response paper the author put together examines the emergence of globalization in the 17th century based on Timothy Brooks arguments presented in Vermeer’s Hat. Knowlton draws support for Brooks assessments that the spread of culture, ideas, as well as material goods across the globe represents a shift in global trade resembling modern globalization, suggesting that the evolution of modern trade can be traced back to the 1600’s and had been developed well before the 19th century.

This artifact was included in my archive because it was an assignment I completed while pursuing my Associates degree that sparked my interest in interdisciplinary studies. Prior to this course I had taken introductory level courses in economics, history, and political science, however; it was this course in particular that highlighted the significance of the overlap between the three fields of study. I decided to include this piece specifically because it was this course that inspired me to pursue an interdisciplinary degree in law, economics, and public policy.

Artifacts