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Hey guys, I need your help.
I have to choose the topic for my MA paper and I can't even decide which area of American Studies I should focus on.
I know I don't want to write about history and politics. Culture, people - those are the things that interest me. Phenomena, trends that are exclusive to Americans are also welcome. Obviously, I need to research sth and prove in my paper that it is like this, and not like that. Also, while thinking about possible ideas, take into account that I live in Poland and I may not have similar access to required materials, although the Internet is very helpful. Abundance of materials is sth I consider crucial.
That said, I'll be very thankful for any interesting ideas you come up with.
Thanks in advance.
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Don`t think it`s very smart to ask for a topic on the internet at least without giving useful background knowledge (your interests, the research field of your supervisor, your areas of competence etc.)
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The thing that jumps to my mind immediately is our ingrained ideals of Calvinistic Protestantism and the American Dream. Basically the American Dream is that with hard work and dedication you can go from rags to riches. Calvinistic Protestantism was the basis of this idea and a core tenant of our founding fathers. You could cite real world topical examples such as the immigration bot legal and illegal (ie from Mexico) because the immigrants view the USA as the land of opportunity and want the American Dream. You could also bring up the Occupy Wall Street movement that is currently going on and talk about the younger generations have become disillusioned with the idea of the American Dream. I have never had to write a senior thesis though so this may not help you at all. 
Cheers and good luck!
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You are going to need to provide a very thorough picture of yourself as it pertains to interests, academic experience, and faculty familiarity. In other words, the internet is a pretty bad place for advice of this sort, but to even attempt we'd need a lot of detail.
^To the guy above, American dream thesis paper? I'm sorry, but those topics are more for senior year of high school, maybe undergraduate. At a masters level, you have to at least attempt to say something "new", or investigate a particular phenomena in a unique manner. Although, maybe this is not the case, the fact that the OP goes to school in Poland makes this even harder.
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wouldnt it be more productive to talk to your professor?
Have a little chat with him talk about what general field you want to write about and I am sure he can point you to good books which will help you find a thesis for your paper.
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Gambling? Attitudes towards etc. Like changes in, or the recent controversies about offshore gambling sites.
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What do Advisers do nowadays?
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The American desert, and its effect on artists, such as Burning Man's David Best.
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Look into the dynamic between students and professors in American colleges and Universities, particularly the advising roles professors take with their students. Maybe you could then compare that dynamic with Poland's professor/student relationship.
+ Show Spoiler +
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Talking to adviser is obviously the way to go. But things to think about: What kind of classes have you taken? Which stood out for you more? What are you passionate about? Also think about feasibility; don't work on things just because they sound amazing, make sure they are doable for your MA period.
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MA Thesis? Or paper for MA course work?
You ask advice in an online community?
For Starcraft?
And, as a graduate work, you plan to write on American Studies?
Specifically culture and people?
To top that, you are in Poland/Polish?
Back in my days, you take graduate degree to specialize, and not explore something you don't even have the vaguest idea about. This can't be serious.
You must be trolling, sir.
In the off chance that you are serious, I suggest American Porn, it's structure, how, through its narrative and filmic expressions, quotes from the American society in general. That'd be some graduate work, I guess.
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On December 02 2011 02:24 DueSs wrote:Look into the dynamic between students and professors in American colleges and Universities, particularly the advising roles professors take with their students. Maybe you could then compare that dynamic with Poland's professor/student relationship. + Show Spoiler +
This varies not only from school to school, but advisor to advisor. You would know this if you had completed middle school.
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On December 02 2011 02:26 Agent Smith wrote:
MA Thesis? Or paper for MA course work?
You ask advice in an online community?
For Starcraft?
And, as a graduate work, you plan to write on American Studies?
Specifically culture and people?
To top that, you are in Poland/Polish?
Back in my days, you take graduate degree to specialize, and not explore something you don't even have the vaguest idea about. This can't be serious.
You must be trolling, sir.
In the off chance that you are serious, I suggest American Porn, it's structure, how, through its narrative and filmic expressions, quotes from the American society in general. That'd be some graduate work, I guess.
in my time people are actually able to read the first few sentences at least 
he is talking about his MA thesis and not about PhD. Doesnt really make him look better but yeah ...
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On December 02 2011 02:21 MangoTango wrote:
Homework threads ಠ_ಠ
Homework thread? really? He's brainstorming his master's thesis. Its not some high school history report LOL.
You should pick a cultural concept that is distinctly American in contrast to the rest of the first world I think.
-Prison system based on punishment and retribution not rehabilitation
- A political system that views compromise as a sign weakness not a sign of progress
- American Health care, particularly the struggles those living under the poverty line go through in obtaining the most basic of health care (ER care). You could have a lot of room to talk about the possible long term savings in increasing preventative care (if everyone had a physical every year there would be less people visiting the ER for example)
- The generation of 20 somethings who have a college education, but have no work experience or truly marketable skills, and have been taught all life that working a physical labor job or something is "below" them or a sign of failure. Basically the Occupy Wall Street Movement.
That's all I got! You can totally PM if you wanna bounce ideas or something.
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On December 02 2011 02:26 Agent Smith wrote:
Back in my days, you take graduate degree to specialize, and not explore something you don't even have the vaguest idea about. This can't be serious.
You must be trolling, sir.
And now you post on the team liquid forums.
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Ok, I'll add some info about myself.
I'm majoring in English Philology and I'm minoring in American Studies (I hope I said that correctly). So, I think, it does not have to be as original a paper as in the case if I majored in American Studies, or, at least, studied Sociology or Cultural Studies. I like NBA, American music (rap, rock, r&b), Hollywood movies, American tv shows, American education system (you have so much more freedom, compared to the Polish one where you have to study lots of unimportant subjects at every lvl of education). I'll try to add more info later.
#Skilledblob - It would be, but right now my ideas are way too vague. He won't do it for me, and I wouldn't even expect it. It's my responsibility to make the ideas as precise as possible. Then he can think of some specific topics or tell me if the idea is a go or no-go.
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On December 02 2011 02:29 Skilledblob wrote:Show nested quote +On December 02 2011 02:26 Agent Smith wrote:
MA Thesis? Or paper for MA course work?
You ask advice in an online community?
For Starcraft?
And, as a graduate work, you plan to write on American Studies?
Specifically culture and people?
To top that, you are in Poland/Polish?
Back in my days, you take graduate degree to specialize, and not explore something you don't even have the vaguest idea about. This can't be serious.
You must be trolling, sir.
In the off chance that you are serious, I suggest American Porn, it's structure, how, through its narrative and filmic expressions, quotes from the American society in general. That'd be some graduate work, I guess.
in my time people are actually able to read the first few sentences at least he is talking about his MA thesis and not about PhD. Doesnt really make him look better but yeah ...
His title is MA thesis. But he introduces it as an MA paper idea. So I asked.
Nonetheless, how do you even dare defend this?!! What kind of university even has students that are on the "exploratory" stage of their Master's work, thesis or simple course work. What a shame!
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On December 02 2011 02:27 cyanide66 wrote:Show nested quote +On December 02 2011 02:24 DueSs wrote:Look into the dynamic between students and professors in American colleges and Universities, particularly the advising roles professors take with their students. Maybe you could then compare that dynamic with Poland's professor/student relationship. + Show Spoiler + This varies not only from school to school, but advisor to advisor. You would know this if you had completed middle school.
Oh the irony. This flew over your head like an eagle. Read it again, but this time APPLY the sarcasm.
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On December 02 2011 02:34 DueSs wrote:Show nested quote +On December 02 2011 02:27 cyanide66 wrote:On December 02 2011 02:24 DueSs wrote:Look into the dynamic between students and professors in American colleges and Universities, particularly the advising roles professors take with their students. Maybe you could then compare that dynamic with Poland's professor/student relationship. + Show Spoiler + This varies not only from school to school, but advisor to advisor. You would know this if you had completed middle school. Oh the irony. This flew over your head like an eagle. Read it again, but this time APPLY the sarcasm.
Goddamit! LOL
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Loved the sarcasm, DueSs
Thanks a lot, stokes17.
I wrote my BA paper in Methodology, but didn't like it so I switched my minor.
I want to teach English, I need to obtain MA. I like American Studies more than Methodology, Linguistics, Literature, etc.
I know that the forums, although concerned mostly with Blizzard games, are full of Americans, so I thought it would a good idea to look for some help in brainstorming here.
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On December 02 2011 02:33 Agent Smith wrote:Show nested quote +On December 02 2011 02:29 Skilledblob wrote:On December 02 2011 02:26 Agent Smith wrote:
MA Thesis? Or paper for MA course work?
You ask advice in an online community?
For Starcraft?
And, as a graduate work, you plan to write on American Studies?
Specifically culture and people?
To top that, you are in Poland/Polish?
Back in my days, you take graduate degree to specialize, and not explore something you don't even have the vaguest idea about. This can't be serious.
You must be trolling, sir.
In the off chance that you are serious, I suggest American Porn, it's structure, how, through its narrative and filmic expressions, quotes from the American society in general. That'd be some graduate work, I guess.
in my time people are actually able to read the first few sentences at least he is talking about his MA thesis and not about PhD. Doesnt really make him look better but yeah ... His title is MA thesis. But he introduces it as an MA paper idea. So I asked. Nonetheless, how do you even dare defend this?!! What kind of university even has students that are on the "exploratory" stage of their Master's work, thesis or simple course work. What a shame!
I dont defend it. Actually I think it's funny ^^
On December 02 2011 02:42 Musli wrote:Loved the sarcasm, DueSs Thanks a lot, stokes17. I wrote my BA paper in Methodology, but didn't like it so I switched my minor. I want to teach English, I need to obtain MA. I like American Studies more than Methodology, Linguistics, Literature, etc. I know that the forums, although concerned mostly with Blizzard games, are full of Americans, so I thought it would a good idea to look for some help in brainstorming here.
well if you want to teach english why not write something about that?
teaching methods, learning english, correct manner of speech etc pp.
really man there is so much you could write about, you shouldnt have to ask strangers.
And a MA thesis is in no way something scientific. In the end what you do is copy someone elses texts and label them as your own. Same like the BA thesis just a bit longer.
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On December 02 2011 02:42 Musli wrote:Loved the sarcasm, DueSs Thanks a lot, stokes17. I wrote my BA paper in Methodology, but didn't like it so I switched my minor. I want to teach English, I need to obtain MA. I like American Studies more than Methodology, Linguistics, Literature, etc. I know that the forums, although concerned mostly with Blizzard games, are full of Americans, so I thought it would a good idea to look for some help in brainstorming here.
Seriously, gambling. American gambling culture vs European or just US vs Canada or just US and how attitudes have changed. Gambling is easy with lots of options and sources. There's lots of opinion, and legal facts etc. There's poker, vegas, sports betting, offshore gambling sites, Indian casinos etc.
And it's relevant recently because of shutting down offshore gambling sites over the last few years, and oyu can bring in politics and social attitudes as well.
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On December 02 2011 02:42 Musli wrote:Loved the sarcasm, DueSs Thanks a lot, stokes17. I wrote my BA paper in Methodology, but didn't like it so I switched my minor. I want to teach English, I need to obtain MA. I like American Studies more than Methodology, Linguistics, Literature, etc. I know that the forums, although concerned mostly with Blizzard games, are full of Americans, so I thought it would a good idea to look for some help in brainstorming here.
Hi Musli. I'm sorry if I came off offensive. I just can't believe you were serious.
Without yet assuming that you are, but giving you the benefit of the doubt, why did you enrol in a Master's program without yet a plan on your papers AND especially thesis?
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On December 02 2011 02:48 Agent Smith wrote:Show nested quote +On December 02 2011 02:42 Musli wrote:Loved the sarcasm, DueSs Thanks a lot, stokes17. I wrote my BA paper in Methodology, but didn't like it so I switched my minor. I want to teach English, I need to obtain MA. I like American Studies more than Methodology, Linguistics, Literature, etc. I know that the forums, although concerned mostly with Blizzard games, are full of Americans, so I thought it would a good idea to look for some help in brainstorming here. Hi Musli. I'm sorry if I came off offensive. I just can't believe you were serious. Without yet assuming that you are, but giving you the benefit of the doubt, why did you enrol in a Master's program without yet a plan on your papers AND especially thesis?
Because I want to obtain MA in English Philology and, due to various reasons, I'm already behind the schedule (I'm 24).
I have to choose my MA thesis before May 2012 so there's still some time left, but since I study extramurally there are not many meetings with my promoter left. So I wanted to start thinking about my thesis asap and I thought brainstorming with other people would be a good idea.
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Aren't there rules against homework threads?
Come on dude, this is your MA Thesis, are you seriously telling me you have come to the end of your course and don't have sufficient passion or interest, even an inkling, as to what you want to research?
What the subjects that you covered in taught study, were there any you felt you did not go into sufficient depth regarding? Do you have much of an idea about the field, where is the an area of under development that you can address? What specialisms do your academic staff have, as one of these will be your supervisor do any of their interests attarct you?
These are the kind of questions you should be asking, not going on TL and ask what should I write about.
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United Kingdom16710 Posts
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How about writing about the contemporary American quasi-religious devotion and reverence to the "founding fathers"?
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This is so difficult to answer without knowing what you're doing. Only advice I can give you seeing as you have a major and a minor is to combine both aspects and find something you won't mind spending 40-50 odd ours researching/writing about.
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I think this is a great idea. I would probably write about the "occupy" movement though.
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I got to thinking about it, and American Studies is a field where it's difficult to shoehorn Starcraft into a thesis (especially since I'm studying real science engineering in Finland). The best I could come up with is comparing the pro scene with that of Korea, but that's probably more a bachelor's thesis subject.
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Meh, people are being a bit too critical of OP. He's just brainstorming here, and I think that's healthy in science. Not everyone goes into their graduate program with a specific idea on what they want to research. I know I didn't until I brainstormed with many people myself (primarily my major professor, however). GL Musli.. but I do agree that you should REALLY sit down and narrow it down a bit--then brainstorm with someone (or an online forum).
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How about secularism and the Seperation of Church and state in America. The first amendment and Article 11 of The treaty of Tripoli would be a great starting point.
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On December 02 2011 01:48 Musli wrote:
Hey guys, I need your help.
I have to choose the topic for my MA paper and I can't even decide which area of American Studies I should focus on.
I know I don't want to write about history and politics. Culture, people - those are the things that interest me. Phenomena, trends that are exclusive to Americans are also welcome. Obviously, I need to research sth and prove in my paper that it is like this, and not like that. Also, while thinking about possible ideas, take into account that I live in Poland and I may not have similar access to required materials, although the Internet is very helpful. Abundance of materials is sth I consider crucial.
That said, I'll be very thankful for any interesting ideas you come up with.
Thanks in advance.
Read a People's History of the Unites States by Howard Zinn, you'll realize that there are topics that will be interesting to you and your own set of experiences, and relevant (both politically/socially/theoretically) exploding out of every facet of life.
In general, good MA topics are ones that are personal in some way (i.e. tap into some unique expertise or passion of the author) and have a contribution to theory. If they are also relevant to current discourse, that's a huge bonus.
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On December 02 2011 03:46 caradoc wrote:Show nested quote +On December 02 2011 01:48 Musli wrote:
Hey guys, I need your help.
I have to choose the topic for my MA paper and I can't even decide which area of American Studies I should focus on.
I know I don't want to write about history and politics. Culture, people - those are the things that interest me. Phenomena, trends that are exclusive to Americans are also welcome. Obviously, I need to research sth and prove in my paper that it is like this, and not like that. Also, while thinking about possible ideas, take into account that I live in Poland and I may not have similar access to required materials, although the Internet is very helpful. Abundance of materials is sth I consider crucial.
That said, I'll be very thankful for any interesting ideas you come up with.
Thanks in advance.
Read a People's History of the Unites States by Howard Zinn, you'll realize that there are topics that will be interesting to you and your own set of experiences, and relevant (both politically/socially/theoretically) exploding out of every facet of life. In general, good MA topics are ones that are personal in some way (i.e. tap into some unique expertise or passion of the author) and have a contribution to theory. If they are also relevant to current discourse, that's a huge bonus.
Read that a couple years ago and the book leans way more towards sociology despite the title. Good read nonetheless. There is also a documents book that accompanies it with mainly first/second hand sources.
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Culture is an interesting thing to write about.
Due globalization multiculturalism is every where. you can write unlimited papers about this subject alone.
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You should write about the culture of news and media in USA. People shape their world view based on what comes out of the TV in the USA more than any other country; talk about alternative media and how not being backed by big money somehow makes your stories less credible.
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I would kill for the opportunity to write a really long thesis paper on how and why the US shifted into being a dominant superpower in the aftermath of World War 2. There is so much you can explore with it, because America before and after the war is just completely different. Things before the war caused the result, but there was just a huge shift in culture and how the society worked as a whole. Other topics I personally would enjoy doing is analyzing the shift in the economic and social structures of the southeastern United States after the abolition of slavery, or why American politics have been dominated by a two-party system (and why third parties generally fail).
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The American dream? Psst. So boring. Why not a Thesis on cultural manipulation by the cia, such as its hand in the creation of the impressionist movement.
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I don't know what American Studies really means but it appears to just be bs modern events stuff? But I would say how about the French/British inaction in the American Civil war , despite their fears of a united USA ruling the world, caused all of today's problems
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Seriously? In the lifetime of this thread, I've already drank 5 cups of coffe, attend 2 meetings, drive down the city, buy some groceries, and went back home, and this thread is still alive!
Anyway, I think OWS would be a good text on American Studies.
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On December 02 2011 02:34 DueSs wrote:Show nested quote +On December 02 2011 02:27 cyanide66 wrote:On December 02 2011 02:24 DueSs wrote:Look into the dynamic between students and professors in American colleges and Universities, particularly the advising roles professors take with their students. Maybe you could then compare that dynamic with Poland's professor/student relationship. + Show Spoiler + This varies not only from school to school, but advisor to advisor. You would know this if you had completed middle school. Oh the irony. This flew over your head like an eagle. Read it again, but this time APPLY the sarcasm.
An American Eagle?
Anyways, I think the best thing to do, would be to find other people who are knowledgeable on the subject, and just brainstorm with them. Talk to them, and bounce ideas off them. You'll probably get much better feedback in person than you will with a thread on TL.
I'm also surprised no one has mentioned eSports yet, haha.
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