World Literature
“What does it mean to be a human being?” I spent an entire semester searching for the answer by surveying early texts, languages, religions, and cultures. I studied The Epic of Gilgamesh, Homer’s Odyssey, The Baghavad-Gita, and more. In my final project, “Defining Divinity by Death and Demise,” I discuss Homer’s hierarchy of divine, human, and dead based on the inescapable fate of death.
The sonnet is one of the most popular, praised, and prodded poetic forms across literary history. Although it is certainly not the most challenging form to write in, the sonnet is perhaps most notable for its selection of strict rules. I argue that the sonnet is not a restrictive form, but that adherence to one or more of the traditional parameters forces the poet to study their subject more intimately.
British Literature
From Old English riddles to Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, I studied British Literature from the Medieval to the present. Some of my favorite topics to study are listed in my projects below:
- “‘Til Deception Do Us Part” analyzes marriage as a medium for racial representation and conflict in Shakespeare’s Othello.
- “Victorian Voyagers” explains the portrayal of gender roles in Victorian literature through a series of blog posts for time travelers.
- “What Makes a Monster, and What Makes a Hobbit?” explores the uniquely unifying monstrosity in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Medieval – 18th Century
18th Century – Present
Searching for Arthur
Shakespeare
This was easily one of my favorite classes during my time at Southern. I spent my midterm answering the question: “If you were Shakespeare and had to save Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, or The Tempest from a house fire, which would you choose?” We surveyed Shakespeare’s plays and poetry. Towards the end of the semester, we even had a themed banquet at the Smittle House. For my final project, I studied how Shakespeare uses the green world (as represented in nature) within his tragedies. I got to present this research at the Sigma Tau Delta 2023 International Convention in Denver, CO.
American Literature
Please return for an overview after May 2024!
Beginning – 19th Century
19th Century – Present
Southern Literature
Intro to English Linguistics
In another one of my favorite courses at MSSU, I studied the building blocks of the English language. My introduction to English linguistics included a review of the International Phonetic Alphabet, a breakdown of how words are (re)formed, and how language adapts to suit different circumstances across time. This course helped me better understand the ways we can use language to draw connections and establish limitations. For my final project, I argued in favor of conversational prose in some forms of literature.
Senior Seminar
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