Write a well-researched paper in which you construct an argument of your own about the public sphere and social change. Your argument should have a narrow focus that is developed through our readings and discussions in Unit III, but all topics related to Unit III are available to you. Possible topics might focus on some aspect of social media or on a specific platform that is controversial or about which you have something to say. You might also consider artistic expression on the internet: what artists are successfully using the internet to broadcast their art? What kind of art works well for the digital age? You may also wish to research the political uses of the digital public sphere: Who is using the internet for political purposes well, and who is using it poorly? What kind of activism happens online, and what is the impact of internet activism? How do hashtags and memes affect real peoples lives? The audience for this paper is the same as for your previous papers (an academic audience), but when you present please note that your audience for this paper is essentially the same as for the other assignments of the course (scholars such as you, your classmates, and your instructor).

Paper #3 draws together all elements of the course, including close reading and analysis of texts (Paper #1) and thorough analysis of the research about a topic (Paper #2). But in Paper #3, you will add a third element: a persuasive argument of your own that results from the research and thinking you have done.

Writing an argumentative or persuasive paper is a very common task across all courses in all disciplines, and you will almost certainly find yourself writing argumentative or persuasive papers at some point in the next three years. You may also find yourself presenting arguments or persuasive speeches, power point presentations, or using other media for a general audience, which is why we also have included a non-academic presentation as an element of this assignment. Write a well-researched paper in which you construct an argument of your own about the public sphere and social change. Your argument should have a narrow focus that is developed through our readings and discussions in Unit III, but all topics related to Unit III are available to you. Possible topics might focus on some aspect of social media or on a specific platform that is controversial or about which you have something to say. You might also consider artistic expression on the internet: what artists are successfully using the internet to broadcast their art? What kind of art works well for the digital age? You may also wish to research the political uses of the digital public sphere: Who is using the internet for political purposes well, and who is using it poorly? What kind of activism happens online, and what is the impact of internet activism? How do hashtags and memes affect real peoples lives? The audience for this paper is the same as for your previous