When thinking about my public discourses paper, I’m not really sure what to do. With this very different presidential race, I find myself becoming more and more engaged in politics as well as taking a political stance. I think that a paper talking about something like how politics relates to race or sex would be a solid topic for a paper. Especially with the 2008 Presidential Election, the two have been playing a promanent role since the get-go. I think it is interesting how two simple things, the color of one's skin and what genitallia one was given, can cause such an up-roar among citizens and the media. It would be neat to study something along the lines of how these things can affect people's judgement and why.

Another topic that is more relevant to Miami students, specifically Miami freshmen, is the fact that starting next year, sophomores have to live on campus. I've been asking my friends how they feel about the issue, just in casual conversation, and surprisingly, most people that I've talked to haven't even heard about the new policy. Honestly, I'm not positive if the policy is set in stone but I have a pretty good feeling. Personally, I think that this policy is not fair. 19 and 20 year olds should be able to choose where they want to live, especially since at this point, we would have all gone through one year of college. I guess the first thing I’d like to know is why. If it is seriously to keep kids from drinking, it’s not even going to work. College students will find a way to drink. It’s sad, but true. Perhaps another reason for the change of policy is that the university is looking to get more money from students. More people living on campus equals more people paying room and board costs. Regardless, I'm interested to see how the university has defended this change. This is a controversial topic that I think would make a good paper. Maybe throw in some interviews? Statistics? I could make it work.

I was also thinking about television and how in a way it has evolved from the 50's until today. Sure, it has changed physically but that just comes with growing technology. I'm talking more about what programs come on television; what is allowed and what is not. I also think it's kind of interesting how reality television has taken over television broadcasting stations. There are many types of reality mind you: there's inspirational reality like Extreme Makeover Home Edition, there's funny reality like Punk'd, and there's trashy reality like A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila, (or anything on VH1). No matter the audience that the show is aiming towards, it acts as some type of drug, drawing average people like you and me to follow them religiously. Maybe that is why we as a society are so obsesed; because they're essentially average people (aside from the fact that they're on tv). But still, the question is "why." I think this would be neat to explore.

The possibilities.