Discuss how political science, communication, and other fields of study may be used to better understand the relationship between terrorism and the press.

Description

Your proposal and paper should relate to at least two of the following course themes:

Problematic definitions of terrorism.

The role(s) media plays in terrorist acts.

How media influences foreign policy.

Characteristics of media events related to terrorism.

Distinguishing characteristics of different forms of media.

The symbiotic relationship between media coverage and terrorism.

How political science, communication, and other fields of study may be used to better understand the relationship between terrorism and the press.

The focus of your research paper should not be on the gruesomeness of the attack but on your detailed analysis of how one or two pieces of media covered the event.

For example, you can compare second-hand accounts of old newspaper reports that you can fine online or radio recordings or TV news clips available online on YouTube or on various credible history sites. As you’ve been practicing in Discussions in this course, analyze the media coverage; look for evidence of bias, framing, assumptions, speculations and even factual, substantial reporting. You can also report on what historians, sociologists and political scientists wrote about how media covered the event. If you find a front-page cover photo that sensationalizes the event, think about applying what you learned in chapter 4 of the course textbook about studies on the impact of images.

Directions for Proposal Assignment and Timeline

You should allocate time to consider and think about what you would like to research.

The proposal for your research paper is due the end of Unit 6. You will upload a document that looks and reads like an elaborated outline and includes at least three sources that you will use to discuss how they relate to 2 of the above 8 criteria listed above.

Don’t just upload a document that says: “I will go online and research x.” Your grade on your proposal will be determined by how well you have focused on a topic that meets the assignment criteria, which asks that you not only identify but discuss three sources that you have found and how they relate to your topic, i.e., how they will help you make your point. For example, will the source you have chosen be useful to your argument that the terrorist event affected foreign policy (see #3 above). Or did the event illustrate the difficulty in defining terrorism (see #1 above).

Because this is a media course, your sources can come from popular, consumer media. In other words, you don’t have to just consider academic journals. But make sure your sources are legitimate, valid and trustworthy.

You will also speculate on how the same event might be covered by today’s media.

Submit Your Proposal Using This Outline (or something similar)

Introduce your topic. When it happened and any historical context that is appropriate. Tell us what happened. Where it happened. The parties involved and affected. The facts.

Identify at least two of the eight course themes you plan to explore and include the sources you will use to back up your claims.

Elaborate on your thinking on how this event might be covered in today’s digital media climate.

Format: The proposal document should be at least single-spaced page plus a correctly formatted reference page. Use APA style and at least 3 references and 12-point font.

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