Overall, regarding my progress with my project there has been a lot of variation within the idea of what I am researching from where I began this semester. With recognition, I initially started examining Kosovo directly and examining state system theory in itself as focusing on the declaratory and constitutive theory. But as the semester has progressed it became more focused on how states choose to give or withhold recognition. To where I am today with my research there is a clear line in how from gaining deeper understandings on the topic I have progressed to where I am now. Working with my mentor has given me a broader scope on understanding recognition and analyzing puzzles like mine. There has also been a lot of perspectives when it comes to the methodology that I will be using for 306. While I will be explicitly using interpretivism for my final narrative paper as the methodology of choice, there is still quite an opening to use a small-N approach. As working up to my final narrative paper as of now, I feel comfortable in being able to add my voice to research on how powerful actors construct the identity of recognition.

For looking ahead to 306, I think the most substantial thing I could do it to keep up on readings and become better acquainted with primary resources for researching. For keeping up on the readings, this involves being aware of current events going on with recognition and being more familiar with the theory that drives the conversation. Due to being interested in looking at official discourse, I am hoping over the break to learn better how to use sources that give me access to speeches from Russian officials and US officials. Even the smaller stuff like quotes from Ambassadors and diplomats are things I need to understand how to obtain easier. I also need to emphasize understanding how Russia constructed recognition as a tool before the independence of Kosovo was declared. From what my research has led to I can comprehend what happens after. As seeing what happened before will help understand the construction of recognition.

On the tenth of September, I was able to meet with Professor Stewart for the first time for around fifteenth minutes. Overall, we discussed the beginning stages of my research and where to start off with when formulating a question initially. I was very fortunate for Professor Stewart to have previously e-mailed me some valuable articles to help express ideas. In the next few weeks, I am hoping to be able to read these in-depth to build a foundation of scholarly articles. One of the initial topics we discussed was about broadening my ideas of what to be asking questions about. Instead as of now I should focus more on broader ideas than concentrating solely on Kosovo. This is where we discussed the intersectionality of self-determination and unrecognized states. Professor Stewart provided some examples, and I began to formulate a little more about where my research could go. It felt like I would be looking closer at questions surrounding dealing with how states get to this unrecognized place and surrounding factors on the future of their status. This was an essential part for me as it helped me feel a sense of comfortability in what I would be looking deeper into. We both agreed that I should begin looking at states that fall into the gray area of being recognized by at least one other state to those recognized by almost all of the international community. Finishing this part of the discussion Professor Stewart also discussed antique colonial projects and how recognition of states would work historically before the 21st century. Being able to read up on this would be valuable in gaining a broader perspective of where to formulate my question.

Going from the discussion with Professor Stewart I have no initial questions or concerns that arise immediately. The meeting helped confirm my interest in the topic and know where to go next regarding my research. As of now for next steps, I need to read up more on academic articles focusing on the concepts of self-determination, unrecognized states, and specific cases of unrecognized states. I am thinking of finding time weekly to specifically think about my “puzzle” and where I can add to this conversation. If anything, I must keep my mind open to new ideas and ways to ask my question.