College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Term of Award

Spring 2026

Degree Name

Master of Arts in English (M.A.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (restricted to Georgia Southern)

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

Other

All Rights Reserved

Department

Department of English

Committee Chair

Laura Valeri

Committee Member 1

Christina Olson

Committee Member 2

Kate Beasley

Abstract

This thesis is a compilation of a critical introduction and chapters of a novel section. “Through Fields Among Stars” explores creativity and repression in educational environments through a young adult science fiction novel. The story utilizes alternating perspectives to tell the story of Ava, a human girl who struggles with science, and Derrick, an alien boy sent to test Earth, as they navigate the ever-present restraints of the United Universe, a universal government. Ava embarks on a series of trials that place her against the best and the brightest of Earth, all while balancing the fate of the Earth. The work contributes to the contemporary young adult fiction world by emphasizing imaginative thinking as a way to navigate systems that prioritize memorization and standardized structures over creative exploration. The government of the alien planet mirrors pedagogical environments familiar to young adults. My thesis highlights how human creativity, rather than technology or strict educational standards, creates opportunities for imaginative engagement with learning.

Research Data and Supplementary Material

No

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Available for download on Tuesday, April 15, 2031

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