As your semester-long assignment, you will write a short research-based paper about a specific theme or issue in Popular Culture. This five- to seven-page (750-1000 word) essay will examine and compare two "takes" on an issue in popular culture, following one of the following two models:

Model A: Compare a "high" culture and a "popular" culture approach to your chosen theme or topic.

Model B: Compare two popular culture approaches to your chosen theme or topic.

Once you select your theme or topic, you will "read" the selected texts (your popular culture piece), analyze them, and ground your argument in the critical literature. Your secondary references must come from critical literature--meaning monographic responses to the media--and not from synthetic literature--such as encyclopedias, textbooks, etc. The rule to follow is that whatever source you use as a secondary support for your argument must itself use footnotes or some other form of internal referencing. Web pages can be used only when they are online critical sources, and only with proper attribution.

The final "project" will be an essay which has a thesis (a point to make about your theme) which is supported both by references to the popular culture texts themselves and to the critical literature.

Due April 17, 2000.