Honors Thesis Showcase: Ailuria — Adapting Animals to Fiction | MTSU Honors College

Описание: In the final week of the Fall 2025 Honors Lecture Series: Spaces & Places, the MTSU Honors College spotlights the work of student scholar Noah True as he presents his Honors thesis: “Ailuria: A Creative Exploration of Adapting Animals to Fiction.”

Hosted by Dr. Phillip Phillips, Associate Dean of the Honors College, this session introduces the thesis process and celebrates the creativity and research excellence of Honors students.

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION
Noah’s project blends literary analysis with creative writing, exploring how authors anthropomorphize animals, build believable animal societies, and navigate the boundary between realism and fantasy.

His thesis includes:
A deep dive into animal symbolism and anthropomorphism
How authors balance realism with imaginative world‑building
Challenges of writing animal thoughts, speech, instincts, and societies
The development of Ailuria, an original fantasy novel featuring lesser‑known species such as binturongs, black‑footed cats, and jerboas

Noah shares how the project evolved, the research that shaped his creative decisions, and the lessons he learned while drafting the first half of his novel.

About the Honors Thesis
The Honors thesis is the capstone experience for MTSU Honors students — a year‑long research or creative project completed under faculty mentorship. This presentation offers insight into the process and the possibilities available to students across disciplines.

🎓 Presented by: The University Honors College at Middle Tennessee State University