RESEARCH PROJECT ASSIGNMENT
Description: The research paper is designed to showcase your abilities to communicate and support a persuasive scholarly argument on a debatable issue related to the course theme “media and popular culture.” All topics must be approved by the professor.
Due dates: See syllabus for due dates related to the materials on which you will be graded and to help you plan your project. First due date: Mon. 10/24 topic and research question.
Research:
Your research paper is multi-faceted and will include the following:
- 5 written sources (including a minimum 2 scholarly articles)
- 1 piece of independent research you conduct (an interview, a survey, data collection, observation, etc.)
- 1 visual source (i.e. a chart, a photo, a graph, an image, etc.) in the body of your paper.
- 1 media source (i.e. a documentary film, YouTube clip, video, podcast, film, website, newscast, TV program, Facebook, Internet source, song, etc.)
Requirements: Your research paper should meet the following requirements:
- APA format (cover page, abstract, in-text citations, reference page, and annotated bibliography of your written sources)
- 10- page written essay • Times New Roman font • 1” margins • stapled, hard copy with page numbers on every page.
- a well-developed thesis, the use of appropriately cited research that supports your argument, and clear writing, free of grammar/diction/syntax errors. Please see syllabus for plagiarism statement.
Research Presentation Methods:
- Persuasive Speech
- Webpage (for final exam research showcase)
PLEASE SEE COURSE CALENDAR FOR DUE DATES.
Potential Topics: Topics may include, but are not limited to:
media violence • body image in media • news bias and censorship • social abuses of new media (i.e. cyberbullying, Facebook harassment, Twitter wars) • celebrity culture and media • child development and media • video game culture • gender, race, or class topics in the media • media and advertising • music videos or popular music media • television programming • media and sports culture • corporate control of media • media and technology • war and technology or war and media
