Progress

A lot of progress has been made in my research project as well as in life in general. I had a long string of exams and quizzes that have taken my focus away from the tasks I need to do to get my research project underway. However, it would not be a fair assessment to say that I did not make substantial progress in this project .

Dr. Kasper and I have been in contact since our last email where he helped me think of research topic ideas. He sent me one of his own publications to have me read over with the intention of fueling some thoughts on free speech on a college campus, specifically as it relates to protests and where they can happen and still be in line with the law. After thinking over the article, I brainstormed a potential research question that piqued my interest. A reason this topic and question stood out to me as something I would want to investigate was how pertinent it is in today’s political climate. In recent years, many universities have begun to bar students from displaying things in their windows such as art, flags, and political signs. At our university, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, similar rules had been implemented during the summer of 2020. When I look at this, I see a limit on free speech. There have been innumerous questions relating to free speech and what is protected by the Constitution throughout recent U.S. history. I believe examining past legal cases pertaining to issues of free speech and expression and examining cases involving a large variety of facts that promote great discussion would be a great way to conclude if this limit of free speech is constitutionally protected. Being someone interested in law and in going to law school, I feel looking into this question will provide me with a wonderful opportunity to think critically about the cases involving related issues.

Another big piece of news for my project relates to finding a mentor. I asked Dr. Kasper to be my mentor after talking over the article and my proposed research question. He responded quickly and he has agreed to be my mentor. I am excited to work with him because, with his background, he is the most educated professor at the university regarding issues of Constitutional law. When I had formed my research question, he even provided some cases to look at to begin my research. His willingness to help me, the knowledge he demonstrated, and his mentoring skills made asking him to be my mentor an easy decision.

In the coming month, there are a few things I need to get done to move this project from idea to actualized. First, I need my mentor to sign the Faculty Mentor Agreement form. Secondly, I need to start reviewing the cases and other resources I intend to use so I can form a good literature review. Once those things are done, I can take a step back and set a timetable for my research.