Based on original research of primary sources (newspapers, magazines, photographs, video footage, corporate and government documents, etc.) and secondary sources students will write an academic paper on an aspect of media history.

Length: 10-12 double spaced pages plus bibliography. Topics will be selected in consultation with the instructor (via Course Messages), and may include aspects of the historical development of journalism, photojournalism, graphic design, advertising and public relations practices, film, etc. The focus of the paper can be on: a media personality, news coverage of an event, an advertising or public relations campaign, image building of a politician celebrity through the media, media representation and images of particular social groups (women, minorities, etc.).