Describe how individuals and social structures have influenced the media product or practice that you have chosen to study.

Research paper:
The research paper for this course asks you to analyze a media product, a media practice or a mediascape. While students are encouraged to first consider local and regional media, national and global media are also acceptable. Your research paper will examine interrelationships between media and social structures and will identify critical factors within these relations. A critical part of the research is your assessment of how social influence and social impact are found within the topic you have selected. You are strongly encouraged to select an example that you are most interested in.

Your paper should be typed and double-spaced in 12-point, Times New Roman font and in either APA or ASA format. The title page, abstract and bibliography is due Wednesday November 18th. The 8-10 page paper (excluding title page, abstract and bibliography). The paper should be organized in the following way:

Title page
Includes title of essay, your name, and name of course

Abstract
Following the title page, include a 100-word abstract and five key words related to the essay.

Introduction
Provide an explanation of the example that you have researched. What question do you seek to explore in your research? Explain to the reader why they should be interested in your research, and provide the reader with an outline of the paper.

Context
To first examine a media product or practice, situate it within society. Where is it found? How did you become aware of it? How has it developed over time? Why is it significant? Discuss previous sociological research that has examined this topic.

Social Influence on Media
Describe how individuals and social structures have influenced the media product or practice that you have chosen to study. What groups or individuals are most influential in producing and consuming it? What policies and technologies have influenced it? How has this changed over time? What is the significance of current influences on this media?

Media’s Social Impact
Describe the social impact of the media topic that you have researched. Who does it impact? How does it affect them? What is the sociological significance of this outcome?