Research Paper
A research paper is a culmination of a long period of critical thinking, analysis, and resourcegathering. For the remainder of the semester, we will be working on unique 6-8 page essays
founded in more complex research and analysis.
“How do the stories we tell reflect our times of crisis?”
This semester, we have been reading and discussing texts that circle around a period of social
upheaval. We have battled the specters of wartime cultures, progression anxiety, intense
depression, and economic upheaval. Now it is your turn to examine a thread throughout one of
the narratives in this course. For the purposes of this paper, examine and analyze a theme
relevant to one of the texts we’re discussing in this course. Use research (minimum 3 peerreviewed, scholarly sources) to determine the discussion already occurring about that piece and
add your contribution.
If you’re having trouble getting started, you might wish to consider some of the topics we’ve
encountered already. Remember that these questions are not required and are mentioned here as
a way to get you thinking.
A large portion of Khoja-Moolji and Niccolini’s work addressed the issue of viewing
whiteness as a standard for “normality.” How is race presented in Ms. Marvel? Reflect
upon moments of racial awareness in Wilson’s text: what are Kamala’s feelings about her
race and the races of her friends and family? Do they change at all over the course of the
narrative? Discuss the presentation of tropes and visual signals during Kamala’s
evolution. Does she need to become more “white” to become a more powerful woman?
When choosing your topic, don’t be afraid to touch on something taboo or upsetting. Write about
something that matters to you, but be sure that your assertions are backed up by evidence from
the text. (and yes – articles covered in class may be used as one of your sources)
The title:MS. MARVEL VOL. 1: NO NORMAL ,Author: by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona
ISBN-13 : 978-0785190219
The article:Comics as Public Pedagogy
Reading Muslim Masculinities through
Muslim Femininities in Ms. Marvel
Shenila S. Khoja-Moolji and Alyssa D. Niccolini
pages:23-39
ISSN: 1938-8209 (print) 1938-8322 (online)
