The list of research project topics Dr. Walsh gave you provides great keywords, as do the assigned readings for the course.
Encyclopedias can supply a good overview of a topic. These overviews will include keywords that can help you develop a search. To find encyclopedia articles, search PrimoDiscovery and use the left-hand sidebar to limit to Reference Entries.
Newspapers contain good overviews of current events, including terminology that can be used as keywords. The TLU Library has several newspaper databases. Try starting with:
Provides full text articles from newspapers and other news sources, including almost 100 Texas news sources including Austin-American Statesman (1989-present), Dallas Morning News (1984-present), San Antonio Express News (1990-present), Houston chronicle (1985-present), and Seguin Gazette-Enterprise (2005-present).
When you know the name of the publication you want, like The New York Times or The National Review, use the Publications by Title link and search for the publication name.