Prospectus: Avatar and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

My Topic

For my research paper, I chose to analyze Avatar by James Cameron and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes by Matt Reeves and the means by which they reflect Post Colonialism. More specifically, I want to investigate the “us verse them” relationship of these cultures and how this led to imperialism and orientalism.

How Will I Write This?

To do this, I will first briefly analyze the differences between the conflicting cultures of each film through Hofstede’s Dimensions of Cultural Difference. Then, I will explain how these differences contributed to the power struggle between the cultures and how that power struggle lead to imperialism and orientalism. 

Finally, I will compare these two cultural relationships and how the members of these cultures chose to act towards the "other." Will they fight for dominance? Or strive to peaceful coexistence? Furthermore, how does their imperial/oriental relationship effect their actions?

My Schedule

I intend to use the online search database provided by KSU in addition to movie review sources (like Metacritic) and IMBd for factual information. This gathering of resources will take place over the weekend so that I can have my annotated bibliography completed by March 20^th.

Next, I will organize the information I have gathered to form my thesis and outline. Given that I have a roundtable due on the Tuesday before my thesis and outline are due, I plan to have my roundtable contribution finished by Friday evening. By this logic, I will have my thesis and outline ready by March 28^th at the latest.

For the rough draft, I will use the points made in my outline to guide me through my paper. I also plan to visit the writing center for further assistance. This portion will be completed by April 13^th. From here, I will integrate peer critiques into my final draft which will be finished by April 28^th.