Developing a Research Topic

In one paragraph, explain to your classmates and professor what topic you wish to research and write about. Explain as clearly as you can what "kind" of popular art you want to discuss (for example, "modern rap music videos") and also the social issue you want to examine ("exploitation of women in media"). At the end of the paragraph, offer a hypothesisif you can ("Modern rap music videos are sexist because they focus on women as sexual objects").

You do not have to be that far along in developing your topic, however; if you don't yet have a hypothesis, you can post a research question, such as, "How are women portrayed in modern music videos?" or "How is Country Music related to conservative politics?"

After this, ask your classmates for feedback. Requests might include (1) further examples of popular culture you should consider (such as specific films, television shows, songs, etc.); (2) potential online resources you might find useful; and (3) general feedback about the topic.

Remember that in addition to your own post, you are expected to help your classmates clarify their ideas and their questions.Please complete at least two peer responses to get full credit for this discussion.

Discussion Tips:

• As with all discussions, remember that you must post your work early.
• Come back on at least two other days and respond to at least two of your peers.
• Please look for postings that have none or one comment so that everyone gets a comment from a fellow student. If you respond to students with two or more posts, you will not receive credit.

PLEASE NOTE: You are not allowed to use generative AI tools like ChatGPT for any work in this course, including both graded and ungraded work. Prohibited AI usage includes idea or text generation, writing or revising your work, development of media assets, or data analysis and presentation.