Modern Languages & Literatures

Session I

Elena Miskinis, "The Use of Multilingualism and Foreign Setting in Charlotte Brontë’s Villette"

Charlotte Brontë’s Villette is a novel set in the fictional kingdom of Labassecour (based on Belgium), that follows Lucy Snowe’s experience in the foreign town of Villette. One notable aspect of Villette is Brontë’s use of the French language, with many passages left untranslated and completely in French. Multilingualism between English and French is found in all of Brontë’s novels and largely stems from her travels to Brussels where she studied the French language. This project will explore the use of translation and multilingualism within Villette, the cultural and historical significance of the French language during the Victorian Era, and how this multilingualism corresponds to national identity, especially Brontë’s British identity.  

Student Major(s) English, History

Advisor: Dr. Angela Leruth

Session II

Atopos Jia, "Counterfeit China: Replicated Landmarks, Fake Phones, and the Intersection of Culture and Economy"

The study focuses on the phenomenon of counterfeits in China, specifically examining copycat architecture and the counterfeit cell phone industry in Guangdong Province. This research aims to explore why these counterfeit objects are popular and how they reflect modern civic culture and societal attitudes toward economic development and modernization. The primary research method involves in-depth tours and conducting structured interviews. The principal researchers personally visited counterfeit sites to conduct field observations and exchange research findings. Interview focuses specifically on individuals who demonstrate clear interest or involvement with counterfeit architecture sites or cell phone markets. Our research has found that the phenomenon of counterfeit goods is closely tied to China's economic boom. The peak of this phenomenon coincided with the heyday of China's manufacturing industry (the Huaqiangbei market) and real estate land finance (the Hallstatt Huizhou). Culturally, counterfeiting reflects the anxiety (inferiority complex) of Chinese culture toward Western influence. Additionally, the counterfeits reveal a sense of nostalgia for China's period of internationalization and prosperity. The possible impact of this research is that it overturns the superficial understanding that Chinese copycats are simply random copies of Western products, and instead treats them as examples of a cultural phenomenon born out of economics. It also uses examples such as Chinese copycats to examine concepts such as simulacrum, camp, and kitsch discussed in postmodern theory, connecting the West and the East, theory and examples.

Student Major(s): History

Advisor: Dr. Calvin Hui

Jenna Morris, "Rhythms of Resistance: The Politics and Gender Roles of Flamenco and the Carnival of Cádiz During the Dictatorship of Francisco Franco"

What happens when performance meets politics—does it become a tool of resistance or a tool of propaganda? When one looks at performance forms in Spain during Francisco Franco's dictatorship, specifically flamenco and the Carnival of Cádiz, the answer is both. This research examines the evolution of flamenco and the Carnival of Cádiz, with a specific focus on Francisco Franco's dictatorship (1939–1975) and the role of women in both performance forms. The distinctly different treatments of these traditions reveal how performance can simultaneously serve as an instrument of propaganda and protest. In other words, this research is a comparative analysis that examines two similar forms of performance, flamenco and the Carnival of Cádiz, which were treated completely differently by Francisco Franco's regime. Furthermore, this research investigates the role of women and how they were and are portrayed in both flamenco and Carnival. Since this research also analyzes gender roles in the two forms of performance, it reveals the gendered dimensions and effects of artistic representation under Franco's regime. The results of this research offer insight into how performance can be used as a tool for political and social resistance, the cultural expression of a nation, and the formation of a national identity.

Student Major(s): Government and Hispanic Studies

Advisor: Dr. Francie Cate

Clare Osberg, "Gender in Dystopian Literature: Close Reading and Computational Analysis of We and The Handmaid’s Tale"

This project will explore how the dystopian novels We by Yevgeny Zamyatin and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood approach gender through the combined use of traditional and computational methods of analysis. The idea behind this research is that dystopian authors often use their futuristic worlds to comment on their current societies, so this project will examine whether Zamyatin and Atwood utilize female characters in their novels to promote new feminist ideas or reinforce gender roles in their current societies. The project will first use traditional literary analysis of each novel to examine the characters, symbols, and recurring themes of the novels. In addition, the research will also utilize programming and data collection as further methods of analysis of the novels. Through each of these methods, this project will approach broader implications about criticism in feminist literature and the effectiveness of computer-based analysis in identifying gender-related themes.

Student Major(s): Computational and Applied Mathematics and Statistics

Advisor: Dr. Elena Prokhorova

Maggie Russell, "Jackson Hole, China: Pursuing the American Dream or Dreaming about America?"

Jackson Hole, China is a housing development that mimics the layout and architectural design of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, U.S. in a phenomenon known as architectural mimicry. Not only do the homes resemble frontier-style log cabins, but the inhabitants of this town admire American culture and partake in their own sort of “pursuit of happiness.” This project will explore how Jackson Hole, China serves as an example of the exportation and alteration of U.S. cultural ideals in China. Additionally, this project seeks to challenge the idea of the “Chinese fake” or cheap copycat and hopes to introduce this construction as a product of globalization. Research for this project includes travel to Jackson Hole, China in Hebei Province and personal interactions with homeowners and tourists. This research will allow for an increased understanding of why architectural mimicry occurs and provide insight into the cultural exchange process between the United States and China in the 21st-century.

Student Major(s): Chinese Language and Culture

Advisor: Dr. Calvin Hui