Research Project (Option B)

Over the last century, LGBTQ+ representation on television has undergone a radical transformation, moving from near-total invisibility and erasure in the early years to the expansive, multifaceted visibility seen in today's media landscape. And television is a particularly powerful medium for representing the complexities of queer identity and expression. Over the years, these depictions have varied from authentic and nuanced to stereotypical and biased. Still, they have been powerful enough to establish the defining characteristics of LGBTQ+ lives for an audience in both helpful and harmful ways.

The core objectives of this research project include illustrating how queerness is portrayed in an American TV series from the last 25 years, as well as analyzing that portrayal's impact on the general perception of LGBTQ+ people.

Phase 1: Selection & Strategy 

1. The Primary Source: Choose a flagship series from the last 25 years to examine form the list  below 
2. The Secondary Source: Choose a secondary series for comparison. Use this show to demonstrate how your primary source either aligns with broader trends or offers a significantly different portrayal.

Phase 2: The Visual Narrative 

• Introduction and Thesis (1-2 slides): Present a clear argument on how your primary show fits into, challenges, or evolves the history of queer representation.
• Historical Context (2 slides): Briefly trace the representation of queerness from the early years of TV through the 21st century. 
• Primary Analysis (6-8 slides): Provide context for the show and analyze three distinct episodes that support your thesis. This may be achieved via a breakdown of specific characters, plot lines, themes, etc.
• Secondary Integration (2 slides): Use your secondary source (no more than two episodes) to either reinforce your thesis or provide a contrast (e.g., showing an unexpected view of queerness).
• Conclusion (1-2 slides):Summarize the current state of representation and the significance of your primary source in that landscape; illustrate an understanding of the intersection of gender identity and media.

Additionally:

• Include at least 3-4 multimedia clips.
• Have at least five outside sources (to be listed in your MLA Style works cited). 

Outside sources:

• At least five outside sources (not including your shows): magazines, books, etc.
• Should be included in an MLA Style works cited 

The primary source of your presentation should be one of the following television shows; your secondary source may also come from this list. If you’d like to go "off list," please check with me first: 

1. Abbot Elementary (ABC) 
2. American Horror Story (FOX)
3. Big Mouth (Netflix)
4. Billions (Showtime)
5. Bridgerton (Netflix)
6. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)
7. Degrassi: The Next Generation (CTV)
8. Derry Girls (Channel Four)
9. Elite (Netflix)
10. English Teacher (FX)
11. Euphoria (HBO)
12. Gen V (Prime)
13. Ghosts (CBS)
14. Glee (FOX)
15. Grantchester (ITV)
16. Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)
17. Hacks (HBO)
18. Harley Quinn (HBO)
19. Heartstopper (Netflix)
20. Heated Rivalry (Crave)
21. Interview with the Vampire (AMC)
22. The L Word (Showtime)
23. The L Word: Generation Q (Showtime)
24. Legends of Tomorrow (The CW)
25. Looking (HBO)
26. Love, Victor (Hulu)
27. Modern Family (ABC)
28. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Netflix)
29. Never Have I Ever (Netflix)
30. The New Normal (NBC)
31. The OA (Netflix)
32. The Office (NBC)
33. Orange is the New Black (Netflix)
34. The Owl House (Disney Channel)
35. Please Like Me (ABC2)
36. Pose (FX)
37. Queer as Folk (Showtime; Peacock)
38. The Righteous Gemstones (HBO)
39. Rome (HBO)
40. Schitt’s Creek (CBC)
41. Sense8 (Netflix)
42. Sex and the City (HBO)/ And Just Like That (HBO)
43. Sex Education (Netflix)
44. Six Feet Under (HBO)
45. Spartacus (Starz)
46. Star Trek: Discovery (Paramount Plus)
47. Titans (HBO)
48. The White Lotus (HBO)
49. Will & Grace (NBC Reboot)
50. Yellowjackets (Showtime)

Required:

• MLA Style, including works cited slide

Due: Fri Sun 5.10 (via Canvas)