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Academic Major: Creative Writing BFA
Advisor: Liberty Stanavage

Alexander Schulz PhotoTitle: Morgan, Merlin, and Magic: Gender and Magic in King Arthur's Court

My project will examine gender and magic in Arthurian literature and consider the impact of magic on gender in historical periods. For example, many depictions of men in the stories of King Arthur show a majority of them to be physically powerful knights that excel in combat; what, then, does this mean for the wizard Merlin? Likewise, Morgan la Fay is a powerful sorceress; how then, does her magic differ from Merlin’s? This project will help me excel in both my academic and personal goals, which are heavily intertwined. I am considering graduate school and I hope that this research opportunity will help me decide if pursuing an academic career is the right path for me, as well as what kind of research I would be interested in during graduate school. Required skills for this project would be my ability to analyze various texts and other forms of media from different time periods, including but not limited to medieval literature, Victorian literature, and modern literature. I have already developed some skills by taking some of the literature classes offered at SUNY Potsdam, such as LITR 201. Ideally my project will culminate in a standard research paper. I am planning on this so that I may submit it to at least one academic conference. At the end of my time at SUNY Potsdam I would like to be able to present my research to the campus in a way similar to presentations at academic conferences as well, like at the SUNY Potsdam Research and Academic Fair. To better understand what conferences look for in their proposals I hope to attend at least one in person conference, which I believe the Presidential Scholars’ grant money will help me get to. At the end of my time at SUNY Potsdam I would like to be able to present my research to the campus in a way similar to presentations at academic conferences. I would also like to be able to apply to present my research at an academic conference that accepts undergraduate work.