On this page, you can find examples of my work as a student at Mercer University. This is not only to showcase my academic career but to also provide you with examples of various types of assignments. If you have any questions about these assignments, I would be happy to talk with you!
These may have been submitted to Turnitin. As a friendly reminder, you can find Mercer University's Honor Policy and Procedure here.
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Undergraduate Honors Theses (Samples)
Creating the Foundation: The U.S. House of Representatives and Mexican American Political Power in the 1970s
A three-page sample of my history honors thesis in which I examine discourse in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1970s regarding Mexican Americans. Through this study I demonstrate that the 1970s were instrumental for the surge in Latino political power at the beginning of the 21st century. Sample includes abstract and bibliography. Total word count approx. 8,000.
Presented to the Mercer History Department in 2023.
“You’re a Woman” : Femininity and Masculinity in Jurassic Park
A three-page sample of my English honors thesis in which I engage in adaptation studies discourse by examining gender in Jurassic Park across the novel by Michael Crichton, two screenplays, and the film directed by Steven Spielberg. In situating each story within 1990s trends in gender and genre, I demonstrate how each creator distorts traditional gender roles. Sample includes abstract and works cited. Total word count approx. 11,000.
Presented at Mercer University's 2024 BEAR Day.
English Literature
The First Sacrificed Child: Griselda's Marriage in The Clerk's Tale
A research essay that uses Medieval marriage and family structures to argue that Griselda herself is the first child Walter sacrifices.
From Latin to English: Leigh Hunt's "Song of Fairies Robbing an Orchard"
An analysis of a poem that uses historical linguistics to argue that Hunt's English translation of a Latin-language poem removed the poem from its Latin roots both linguistically and culturally.
Between Possible and Impossible: Ellis's Love in The Sweet Everlasting
A research essay that examines the 20th century South's expectations of love, family, and race to argue that Ellis's character embodies those attributes.
Man or Monster: The Protagonist in The Fly
An analysis of George Langelaan's short story "The Fly," Kurt Neumann’s 1958 film adaptation, and David Cronenberg’s 1986 film demonstrating a progression in the protagonist's characterization as man or monster.
Empathy, Support, and Inappropriateness: Gender Queer as a Banned Book
A brief history and examination of Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer and its status as one of the most banned books in the United States.
Simon versus the Homo Sapien Agenda and Queer Lit Studies: Adding Becky Albertalli to the Syllabus
An argument for the inclusion of Becky Albertalli's Simon versus the Homo Sapien Agenda in Queer Lit Studies for its impact on contemporary queer literature, film, and culture.
Pride & Prejudice Screenplay
A screenplay adaptation of a scene from an assigned text and includes a reflective essay presenting the models, choices, and process for writing the screenplay.
The Fire in Her Eyes:
Miss Quentin's Character in Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury
An interpretive essay of Miss Quentin's character using a feminist theoretical methodology, arguing that she is not a one-dimensional character.
Rebecca Screenplay
A screenplay adaptation of a scene from an assigned text and includes a reflective essay presenting the models, choices, and process for writing the screenplay.
“Hoy Quiero Experimentar Por Aquí” : Rosalía and Cultural Appropriation
A research essay that examines the interviews, lyrics, and music of Spanish singer Rosalía regarding accusations of cultural appropriation to argue that the singer uses several modes of communication to defend her music.
Writing the Long Story Final Portoflio
A brief introductory essay to my fiction writing style, serving as a reflection of my growth as a writer over the course of the semester.
History
Annotated Bibliography: Haiti in the US
An annotated bibliography of primary sources from 1763 to 1850 connecting slavery in the US to Haiti.
Mexican Discrimination and Family Separation: How the Bracero Program and the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act Are Related
A conference paper that interprets primary sources to make a unique contribution to a subfield in history and argues that the Bracero Program and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 are connected.
Annotated Bibliography: The Moon Landing for the Americans on Earth
An annotated bibliography of primary sources regarding the 1969 Apollo 11 mission that offer insight into the cultural impact the mission had on Americans.
Great Books
Truth, Regardless of Plato's Thoughts: Emily Dickinson's View on Art
A comparison of Emily Dickinson's view of art as true and superior in her poems and Plato's view of art as imitative and inferior in The Republic.
"The Cana of Galilee and the Devil" : The Brother's Karamazov Extended Chapter
A creative response to Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov in the form of an extended chapter to emphasize religious themes and Alyosha's status as the hero of the novel.
A Letter to His Uncle: Response to James Baldwin’s “My Dungeon Shook / A Letter to My Nephew.”
A creative response to James Baldwin's "My Dungeon Shook / A Letter to My Nephew," highlighting how the issues of racism and discrimination against Black people continue to plague American society.