History 103: First Year Immersion Reflection Paper
As specified on the syllabus, all students will be required to attend a performance of Dracula: Bloodlines in connection with the Humanities Commons First Year Immersion program. Dracula: Bloodlines, based on the classic story by Bram Stoker, depicts the story of Dracula’s origins and his eventual defeat. It emphasizes the themes of power and vulnerability, raising questions about what it means to be powerful and what the limits of power are.
Although the story of Dracula is over a 100 years old, it remains popular in part because these themes of power and vulnerability are still relevant to us in the present. Is power reducible to mere physical strength or a capacity for violence? Is there power or weakness in love? How do we find ourselves powerful or vulnerable in our contemporary world?
Assignment:
Each student will be required to write a 2-4 page (12 point, double spaced, Times New Roman font) First Year Immersion Reflection Paper. The paper must address the following prompts:
- What does the ballet say about what it means to be powerful? Are there multiple ways to be powerful? How is power related to vulnerability?
- How does the ballet’s message about power and vulnerability relate to the events of our time? Identify a contemporary event involving the development or exchange of power and vulnerability and discuss how it compares to the ballet’s message.
Each paper should be 2-4 pages long (12 point Times New Roman font).For the second prompt, you will be expected to do some research and develop a bibliography of at least 4 sources.
Additionally, make sure to proofread your paper. Things like grammar, spelling, and overall readability will count towards your assignment grade.
DUE DATE:A rough draft will be due on Nov. 27. The final version is due Dec. 4.
You must submit a hard copy in class and an electronic copy through Isidore. The hard copy is due at the start of class. The electronic copy is due by 11:59 PM later on the same day.
Helpful Databases:
The University of Dayton has numerous resources that can help you with this assignment. Here are some potentially useful databases, which you can find through the Roesch Library website.
New York Times Online
Newspaper Source
Dayton Daily News
LexisNexis Academic
Current Digest of the Chinese Press
