How does the mermaid and/or homo aquaticus figure reflect the process of colonization and racialization throughout the period of Western modernity? Some topics to consider in answering this question (many of these overlap one another):
the role of Christianity as ‘a religion of empire’
the impact of colonization and Christianization on the developing concept of ‘the human’
the impact of colonization and Christianization on human relationships to the natural world-the Anthropocene
the impact of colonization and enslavement on the concept of race
racial science, and the connection between mermaids and racial science (taxonomy, theory of evolution)
colonization and practice of exhibition (circuses, museums)
Answer this question and use it as a starting point to develop an argument about at least one and no more than three primary texts of your choice (primary texts can include visual, film, comics, TV, literature, etc.) from in or outside of the course. With the support of what you have learned in the class, conduct a close reading of the primary text/s identifying both the technical elements and deeper themes as they relate to the question above. Ground your analysis in context from both lecture and assigned (can include supplementary) secondary sources from the course.
If you feel you need additional resources for your analysis beyond class-provided articles, please see Dr. Davis or Jasmine with that source prior to submission.
Requirements
At least 800 words. Do not exceed 1200 words.
Times New Roman
12 point font
Double-spaced
MLA document formatting and citations
Please answer the question posed above, clearly, throughly, and directly. You can use this prompt to guide you to a more specific thesis as an answer focusing on texts of your choice. My recommendation would be to respond to the broader question and to set up the more specific thesis for the primary texts that you are examining in your introductory paragraph. But you should also use opportunities within the analysis to reference course content.
At least three in-text citations of at least one primary text. Conduct analysis of what specific details in the text say about the meanings of the text and its relevance to your argument.
At least three in-text citations from secondary sources (assigned and/or supplementary/recommended). Do not merely plug in quotes from the sources. For any citations, make sure to interpret the content in your own words and thoroughly explain how the points you referenced support your argument.
Must explicitly incorporate specific content/key terms from lecture and class discussions. Lecture and discussion can be treated as ‘common knowledge’ but if you know the exact source of content from lecture you can cite it as you would ‘personal communication’.’ See style guide for the specific guidelines to formatting citations.
I am providing various sources, the readings are primary sources. the secondary sources are some of the links i provided in the pdf. I also added the pw to class lecture please refer to it extensively as it is a requirement to refer to class material and connect the ideas to class learnings.