This semester we have dealt with historical themes of technological
advancement and the global expansion of European “civilization” and imperialism.

How are these themes expressed in Verne’s novel Around the World in Eighty Days? Discuss how does Verne’s book depict the process of European’s empire building and the “civilizing mission” during the second half of the 19th century? How does the novel depict how new transportation and communication technology has made the world a “smaller” place? What does it tell you about the attitudes of Europeans to non-Europeans at this time? How does it depict the ability of Europeans in the nineteenth Century to project their influence to other regions of the planet?

IMPORTANT: This is not a “research” paper assignment therefore papers do not
require any sources to be cited (class notes and class texts may be cited). Papers must be grammatically correct, well-structured, and have citation of relevant texts and page
numbers. Papers should be 4-5 pages typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins and 12-point Times New Roman font.