Splash Biography

ALLISON GADDIS, Yale freshman studying Humanities and Film

Major: Humanities / Film

College/Employer: Yale

Year of Graduation: 2029

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Allison Gaddis is a first-year in Pauli Murray College at Yale and a student in the Directed Studies program. She is especially interested in literature and philosophy, and how both shape the way people think and create. Outside of class, she enjoys film and writing. At Splash, she’s excited to share her love of big ideas and thoughtful conversation with students.

Past Classes

(Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

E5264: Barbie Goes to Ancient Greece: The Mythic Blueprint of Modern Movies in Sprout Fall 2025 (Nov. 15 - 16, 2025)

Barbie didn’t just leave Barbie Land--she went on a hero’s journey worthy of The Odyssey. In this class, we’ll uncover how ancient myths like The Iliad and The Odyssey still shape the stories we see on screen today. Why do certain tales keep coming back, no matter how much pink glitter or CGI we add? Through discussion and clips, we’ll explore the timeless patterns of heroes, quests, and transformations that connect ancient Greece to modern Hollywood.

H5177: Historical, Philosophical, and Literary Allusions in Modern Music in Splash Fall 2025 (Oct. 04, 2025)

Why do musicians quote Shakespeare, channel Albert Camus, or borrow from the Bible? This class explores the ways modern music is full of historical, philosophical, and literary allusions, many of which slip past the casual listener. From The Beatles’ surreal references to King Lear and Lewis Carroll in I Am the Walrus, to Coldplay’s first-person account of the French Revolution in Viva La Vida, musical artists use allusions to add depth and meaning to their songs. Together, we’ll listen to excerpts from rock, rap, and pop, identify the references, and then connect them to their original sources. How do they enrich the song, and why are they effective? You will gain a new level of appreciation for artists and how they craft their lyrics. No background knowledge required, just curiosity and a love of music!