Research Project (Option A)

Television is a particularly powerful medium for representing not only sex, gender, class, and race, but also spirituality (or a lack thereof). These depictions vary from accurate and objective to stereotypical and biased. Still, they are often powerful enough to establish the defining characteristics of an entire belief system for audience in both helpful and harmful ways.

The core objectives of this research project include illustrating how a specific belief system 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 those beliefs.

Phase 1: Selection & Strategy 

1. The Subject: Identify one belief system (e.g., Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, Atheism) to examine.
2. The Primary Source: Choose a flagship series from the last 25 years below.
3. 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 your chosen belief system.
• Historical Context (2 slides): Briefly trace the representation of this belief system from the early years of TV through the 21st century. Focus on representation, not religious history.
• 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 direction for that belief system).
• 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 faith 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” this list, please check with me first:

1. 30 Rock (NBC)
2. Always a Witch [aka Siempre Bruja] (Netflix)
3. American Gods (Starz)
4. American Horror Story (FX)
5. Arthur (PBS)
6. Battlestar Galactica (Syfy; 2004 remake)
7. The Big Bang Theory (CBS)  
8. Big Love (HBO)
9. Blue Bloods (CBS) 
10. The Book of Daniel (NBC)  
11. The Borgias (Showtime)  
12. Carnivale (HBO)
13. Community (NBC)
14. Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) 
15. Daredevil (Netflix)/Daredevil: Born Again (Disney Plus)
16. Dexter (Showtime) 
17. Empire (FOX) 
18. Evil (CBS)
19. The Exorcist (FOX) 
20. Family Guy (FOX)
21. Glee (FOX)
22. The Good Place (NBC)  
23. Grantchester (ITV)
24. The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)  
25. Hannibal (NBC)
26. Heartland (CBC)
27. House (FOX)
28. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX) 
29. Jane the Virgin (The CW)
30. Joan of Arcadia (CBS)
31. The Leftovers (HBO) 
32. Living Biblically (CBS)
33. Lucifer (FOX) 
34. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video) 
35. Moon Knight (Disney Plus) 
36. The OC (FOX) 
37. The Office (NBC)
38. The Path (Prime Video)  
39. Preacher (AMC)
40. Rectify (SundanceTV) 
41. The Righteous Gemstones (HBO)
42. The Simpsons (FOX) 
43. South Park (Comedy Central)
44. St. Denis Medical (NBC) 
45. Superstore (NBC) 
46. The Tudors (Showtime)
47. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (AMC)
48. The Young Pope (HBO) 
49. True Blood (HBO) 
50. Will & Grace (NBC) 

Required:

• MLA Style, including works cited slide

Due: Fri Sun 5.10 (via Canvas)