Media Fandoms: Kirk Loves Spock?

Download MP3: Pruni_FanStudies

This episode zeros in on media fandoms. Fan studies scholars often investigate media audiences and the objects they create, especially surrounding popular television shows. One product of fan audiences is slash fiction. These non-canonical fictional romance texts between same-sex protagonists offer a glimpse into the rich cultural capital created by fandoms.

Analise Pruni is second-year media studies graduate student at UW-Milwaukee, whose academic interests focus on teen-television representations. She is also a T.A. for JAMS 101.

References:

  • Fiske, J. (1992). “The Cultural Economy of Fandom.” In The Adoring Audience: Fan Culture and Popular Media. New York, NY: Routledge.
  • Gray, J., Sandvoss, C., & Harrington, C. L. (2007). Fandom, Identities and Communities in a Mediated World. New York, NY: New York Unviersity Press.
  • Hanmer, R. (2010). “Internet Fandom, Queer Discourse, and Identities.” In LGBT Identity and Online New Media. New York, NY: Routledge.
  • Jenkins, H. (1992). Textual Poachers: Television Fans and Participatory Culture. New York, NY: Routledge.

Comments or questions? Email aepruni[at]uwm[dot]edu.