Think of the tremendous impact on culture made by Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. These two stories have influenced and inspired: · The development of the Greek Pantheon in character and action. This in turn, influenced Roman mythology. Together they influenced works of art (Achilles is the subject of many plates, wall paintings and vases) and plays (Romeo & Juliet). Names from mythology are pervasive in the zodiac, stars, planets, constellations, many of the flying crafts from NASA and a myriad of products. · Biographies of Alexander the Great agree the young king had read the Iliad. Alexander changed the landscape of the Mediterranean and much of the western world on quests he derived from Homer. · Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey have influenced and inspired works of literature such as The Aeneid, The Divine Comedy, The Hobbit, and the Harry Potter series. · Concepts and characters from Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey have influenced and inspired musical lyrics with names and storylines for hundreds of years in classical, rock, punk, pop, country, hip hop and more. · Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey influenced and inspired movies like the obvious Troyand Oh Brother Where Art Thou, but also the Wizard of Oz and Star Wars. For your project you will write a short essay (1-2 pages) that discusses how current Zombie Culture will influence the future of media 100 years from now. In your essay, you will propose how current Zombie Culture will influence the future in three specific ways by creating and including the following: · the title and content of one book or graphic novel from the future influenced by current Zombie Culture · the title and content one movie or television show from the future influenced by current Zombie Culture · one additional pop culture example from the future influenced by current Zombie Culture When the project is complete, you will have a total of three different media forms represented.

This project assignment appears to be asking you to create three different examples of the imagined future impact of zombie culture in the forms of a book, a film or TV program, and one more example of your choice, and describing them in an essay. As you create these examples, you will be elevating the impact of zombie culture to the level of the impact of Homer and his epic poetry. Here are some ideas that might give you an interesting place to start thinking about your project.
First of all, think about zombie culture in terms of the culture you learned about in The Iliad and The Odyssey. For example, what are the zombie equivalents of heroic behaviors like those exhibited by Achilles and Odysseus? What might a zombie hero look like, and how might they respond to challenges like those presented in Homer's depiction of the Trojan War and of Odysseus's travels home? Another angle might involve the zombie version of the gods and goddesses who give Odysseus aid or who hinder him on his way home; what supernatural forces or higher powers interfere with or assist zombies in their pursuit of zombie-satisfaction? Family, happy marriages, and true love are all important notions in both The Iliad and The Odyssey; what are important notions to zombies that are worth fighting for?
Next, consider your three options. You will need to explain the impact of zombie culture through the examples of a book (or graphic novel) of your own invention, a movie or TV show of your own creation, and a third piece of pop culture that you must choose on your own.
First, let's think about the steps you need to take to invent a book: what kind of conflict will your book explore, and who is involved? Take your inspiration from the main plot points of The Iliad and The Odyssey; perhaps one heroic zombie has become separated from his zombie clan and needs to make his way back to the group, or a zombie love interest turns into a zombie love triangle. Just remember, as you begin, that conflict and character define a good story.
Think along similar lines for your television program or movie, but mix it up a little so you don't repeat the themes of your book; perhaps a group of zombie friends are looking to avenge a crime against one of the gang, and they experience a more difficult time than they expected. Describe the problems they encounter and the source of them as well as the solutions and helpers the zombies meet along the way.
The third requirement gives you the most creative freedom, as you can pick any element of pop culture you like that echoes ideas from Homer's poetry. Think about your own interests here: are you fascinated by zombie versions of sporting events like the World Cup or Wimbledon, or would you rather explore a museum of zombie art created by zombie artists that document zombie history and culture? Do modern forms of self-expression, like tattoos or fashion, interest you? All of these mediums could benefit from the zombie treatment; perhaps a magazine just for zombies about zombie life would work. Just remember to give your representation of zombie pop culture a name or title to make it official.