You will choose a theme, find three expressions of that theme in three different humanities disciplines. You will them describe how the three different pieces express the theme, and offer an analysis and reflection.
This assignment takes place in stages. In Part I, you must identify a theme along with one piece that expresses this theme. Then in Part 2, you will develop an introduction and find 3 examples of various works of the humanities that express your theme. Finally, in Part 3, you will research your theme and expressions and write an extensive essay, analyzing the works with relation to the theme.
For example, you may choose to examine the theme of artificial intelligence by analyzing the play “R.U.R.” by Karel Capek (attachment), Stanley Kubrick’s film “2001: A Space Odyssey,” and the painting “The City Rises” by Boccioni. or, you could delve into the theme of light & dark with the ballet “Swan Lake,” C.S. Lewis’s novel “The Last Battle,” and Caravaggio’s painting” Judith Beheading Holofernes.”
You will explore new resources for this assignment, and also utilize all materials (attachment).
Although part 1 and part 2 are not as heavily weighted as part 3, they are important to help you develop your ideas (and required).
Choose a theme based on the following suggestions, or propose one of your own. Try to derive a specific theme (e.g instead of “love” which is very broad, try sacrificial love or unrequited love or agape love, or instead of “confusion” which is vague, try mistaken identities or another more specific theme). Explain the reasoning for this theme choice and apply it to a piece in 3-6 sentences. Relate the significance to the humanities or human experience. Identify a piece that utilizes this theme and explain how the theme is expressed in the piece. Remember, a theme is not just a topic – – it is a universal but specific idea that weaves throughout a piece.
