Schedule of Events

This English capstone project is the culmination of all I have learned from studying both writing craft and the great works of the literary canon. This dual course of study has provided me with the unique tools to both understand great works of literature and recreate them. My aim with this project is to retell the story of Frankenstein through the perspective of Elizabeth Lavenza. In doing so, I will explore Elizabeth as a character with depth and substance. Through the medium of the novel I redefine her as author of her own story, and explore how the classic story of Frankenstein changes when seen through her eyes.

The subject of English as it exists now lacks inclusion for students of color. Black students in particular are disproportionately affected by barriers regarding inclusive curricula curation as well as the classroom expectations surrounding language. In this paper we will journey through the ways in which the curriculum excludes non-white students and prohibits the fostering of a productive learning environment for SOC. We will also explore the ways that the usage of African American Language in classrooms is viewed and the effects that has on the Black student experience. The reader will also be provided with potential alternatives to these current systems that push for an overall more inclusive curriculum in classrooms, coupled with examples from educators who have had them successfully implemented in their classrooms.

The male gaze seems to be everywhere and in everything, consuming media in a not-so-subtle way. This term was first coined in the 1970’s by feminist film theorist Laura Mulvey and defines the depiction of women as sexual objects existing for the pleasure of men, specifically heterosexual men. While Mulvey was mainly highlighting the ways in which women were depicted during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the male gaze has carried over into modern films today. However, with the rise and inclusion of more female-centered narratives, the female gaze in film has also come to popularity in more modern films. This female-centered way of storytelling is aimed at showcasing female characters as humans rather than objects that add no significant substance to a film's plot. It creates this new viewing perspective – the “female gaze.” The question then becomes, does the female gaze exist and if so, does it act in the same way the male gaze does? The goal of this project is to delve into the art of film and piece together a sense of what the female gaze is and how it functions compared to the male gaze.

What Lies in the Depths is a creative exploration of popular oceanic myths inspired by numerous cultures and legends of the deep. Since the age of exploration, seafarers have wondered what discoveries have yet to be made at the bottom of the ocean. This future novel follows a young woman’s journey of self-discovery and the unknown truth of life at sea as she receives help from an unexpected heroine who convinces her that these myths, often told by male protagonists, are more than just fiction. Tapping into previous tales of mythology and cultural studies, this project presents a modern and feminist take on mythological retellings to positively showcase women’s role within them. Homer’s The Odyssey and Skye Alexander’s Mermaids: The Myths, Legends, & Lore provide the necessary historical context while serving as inspiration for this creative project. In this novel’s introduction, readers will join our female protagonist as she discovers ancient oceanic myths by revealing mysteries of the deep sea. What Lies in the Depths will not just be about sea exploration but evolve into a woman’s discovery of internal strength as she charts her own course within a male-dominated field to become the hero of her own story.