My MA thesis on Arab Political Cartoons on the Libanon War 2006, written in 06/07. Perhaps the closest thing to "real academic writing" I ever did (I usually trespass every restriction there is). I find the subject of political cartoons extremely interesting, not least in the Arab context. Even if you're not reading Arabic you should be able to get something out of the thesis.

Read Andreas Qassim's MA thesis. (pdf)