Conduct preliminary research on the topic you identified in the "Developing and Limiting a Research Topic" discussion this week.  Then, based on your research and the feedback in the discussion, write a paper based on the following:
- State your topic, and provide explanation as to why you selected that topic.
 
- Describe how you plan on refining or limiting your topic selection.
 
- Describe a specific claim related to this topic that you plan to argue in your final paper.
 
Approved Topic List
- Drug trafficking in the United States
 
- Childhood obesity
 
- Values portrayed in popular media
 
- Individual privacy vs. national security
 
- Government grants for alternative energy research
 
- Designating an official language of the United States