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Objective: This assignment aims to deepen students’ understanding of adult development by analyzing a fictional character from literature, movies, or other media. Students will explore the character’s stage of adult development, focusing on their strengths, weaknesses, and the challenges they face, using concepts from the course to inform their analysis.
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Character Selection:
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Choose a fictional character from a book, movie, TV show, or other media who is in one of the stages of adulthood:
- Early Adulthood: Ages 18-35
- Middle Adulthood: Ages 36-55
- Late Adulthood: Ages 56 and above
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Ensure the character has a well-developed story arc that provides insights into their developmental stage.
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Character Analysis:
- Analyze the character’s current stage of development, focusing on:
- Strengths: What personal qualities and skills help the character navigate their life?
- Weaknesses: What are the character’s vulnerabilities or areas where they struggle?
- Challenges: What significant challenges or obstacles does the character face, and how do they overcome them?
- Analyze the character’s current stage of development, focusing on:
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Integration of Course Concepts:
- Use theories and concepts from the course to analyze the character’s development.
- Consider applying developmental theories such as Erikson’s psychosocial stages, Jung’s theory of individuation, or other relevant frameworks.
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Literature Support:
- Integrate at least 3 scholarly references to support your analysis.
- Use these references to compare the character’s experiences with existing research and theories on adult development.
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Paper Structure:
- Introduction: Briefly introduce the character and the purpose of the assignment.
- Character Overview: Provide a summary of the character’s background and the context of their story.
- Analysis: Discuss the character’s strengths, weaknesses, and challenges, integrating course concepts and scholarly references.
- Conclusion: Summarize the key insights gained from the analysis and their implications for understanding adult development.
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Formatting Guidelines:
- Length: 5-7 pages (excluding references).
- Format: APA style, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins.
- Include a title page and reference list, no abstract is needed.
Example Character: (This is just an EXAMPLE, you don’t have to use this character. Choose your own.)
Character: Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- Stage of Development: Early Adulthood
- Strengths:
- Strong sense of independence and intelligence.
- Ability to critically analyze social norms and expectations.
- Weaknesses:
- Tendency to judge others quickly, which leads to misunderstandings.
- Struggles with her own pride and prejudice, affecting her relationships.
- Challenges:
- Overcoming societal expectations regarding marriage and gender roles.
- Learning to balance personal desires with familial obligations.
Analysis Approach:
- Use Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development to explore Elizabeth’s journey toward achieving intimacy and developing a sense of identity.
- Examine how her strengths and weaknesses shape her interactions and decisions.
- Discuss the societal and personal challenges she overcomes and how these experiences contribute to her growth.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Depth and quality of the character analysis.
- Ability to integrate course concepts and scholarly references.
- Clarity and coherence of analysis and discussion.
- Adherence to APA formatting and academic writing standards.
- Originality and critical thinking demonstrated in the analysis.