Research Process

I am finding my sources through the use of the Auraria Campus Library database, Google scholar, and the Google search engine. I have found one book source so far which is God in the Details: American Religion in Popular Culture by Micheal Mazur and Kate McCathy. I have several other sources from the internet that I do not have on hand.

I find that the hardest source to come across is general field work such as surveys and interviews. Statistics and numbers are also difficult to find.

From my sources I am finding out how much the American populous really "worships" pop culture (specifically Oprah) like a religion through the use of secular media. My argument is that The Oprah Winfrey Show along with her network as a whole has become a religious vehicle that communicates a new age ideology to the vast American population. Through the use of mainstream media she is able to broadcast her spiritual viewpoints. My sources that I have found thus far have helped me see that it is not only Oprah but pop culture television as a whole that created a religious cult out of the American population. For the most part, my sources thus far have supported my argument and are making it stronger.

My biggest obstacle is finding the correct, professional sources that relate to my subject. Most of the sources that I do find are a bit dated but still hold relevance. Another issue I am having is finding enough sources to fill the requirements and all the different types of sources that are required.