Matching Items (102)
Description
This thesis interprets and discusses the concept of representation of marginalized groups on television. The focus is on the character of Piper Chapman from the Netflix original series Orange is the New Black, and how her depiction is a unique kind of approach to the idea of The Burden of Representation. This idea theorizes that where there is representation, there is a duty held by the creators to tell a story that will not damage the communities it represents, as those stories shape the way the people who consume them think about said communities in real-life situations. However, if the creators were to construct a character or narrative that is perfect and “to-good-to-be-true,” that narrative may not be true to what is experienced by people in day-to-day life. One approach to this problem of non-damaging representation vs. genuine representation, is to create a character or narrative that is imperfect, but still a positive depiction. Not all “good” representation has to be perfect representation.
Through the examination of Piper Chapman’s character development, the narrative structure of Orange is the New Black, and the historical context of its representation in comparison to previous iterations, this thesis analyzes the unique way in which the show approaches its characters, setting, and storylines. The main subjects of analysis are Piper, and her girlfriend Alex Vause, each representing the bisexual and lesbian communities, respectively, and the major tropes that will be discussed are “the experimenting bisexual,” “the criminal lesbian,” “the vampiric lesbian,” and “bury your gays.” Each trope plays a significant role on the show, but the way the show uses its narrative structure and character development creates a new approach to the subversion of said tropes. Orange is the New Black focuses on telling a more human story rather than creating a perfect representation, while it still maintains a positive image for its characters.
Through the examination of Piper Chapman’s character development, the narrative structure of Orange is the New Black, and the historical context of its representation in comparison to previous iterations, this thesis analyzes the unique way in which the show approaches its characters, setting, and storylines. The main subjects of analysis are Piper, and her girlfriend Alex Vause, each representing the bisexual and lesbian communities, respectively, and the major tropes that will be discussed are “the experimenting bisexual,” “the criminal lesbian,” “the vampiric lesbian,” and “bury your gays.” Each trope plays a significant role on the show, but the way the show uses its narrative structure and character development creates a new approach to the subversion of said tropes. Orange is the New Black focuses on telling a more human story rather than creating a perfect representation, while it still maintains a positive image for its characters.
ContributorsMcdermot, Kathryn Lynne (Author) / Miller, April (Thesis director) / Ingram-Waters, Mary (Committee member) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
DescriptionThe Autobiography of a Mary Sue is the fictional autobiography of a fanfiction author, detailing her experiences in fandom and how they made her into her ‘more perfect’ aka more realized, modern self.
ContributorsTerasaki, Kimberly Midori (Author) / Ingram-Waters, Mary (Thesis director) / Cruse, Markus (Committee member) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / Department of English (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Fantasy football exists as a thought-to-be male dominated space, particularly with respect to the linguistic practices of players. Heteronormativity runs rampant, and fantasy players are not held accountable for the implications of their language. This essay analyzes what the dynamics of fantasy football leagues are, how current linguistic practices shape them, and suggests that women’s participating in fantasy football leagues functions as a type of trash talk that encourages men to address their internalized heteronormativity and create a more welcoming and progressive experience for people of all genders.
ContributorsValov, Jacob John (Author) / Ingram-Waters, Mary (Thesis director) / Ferderer, Brandon (Committee member) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Consensual non-monogamous (CNM) relationships are an alternative to normative monogamous relationships that are often not represented in media and when they are it is often in a negative light. Research shows that CNM behaviors are highly stigmatized. I examined the representation of CNM in two popular television shows, Shameless and American Horror Story: Hotel. American Horror Story: Hotel represents CNM in a negative way whereas Shameless aims for a more progressive viewpoint. I conclude that American Horror Story: Hotel contributes to the stereotypes surrounding CNM while Shameless attempts to normalize an uncommon style of relationship.
ContributorsTown, Angelica (Author) / Ingram-Waters, Mary (Thesis director) / Fedock, Rachel (Committee member) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
This project looks at the impact that the internet has had on society, and how it has shaped the way that digitally native generations live their lives. More specifically, this thesis showcases what it means for younger generations to be digitally native and how engaging with technology while growing up affects the way that these individuals experience contemporary adolescence. Generation X is said to be the last group of people to experience life before the spread of the personal computer and internet access. Newer generations, such as Generation Z, have grown up having constant and easy access to the internet, all of the information it encompasses, and its additional functions. This access has shaped much of the generation as individuals as well as society as a whole. It can be argued that the human experience has been fundamentally different for those born after the creation of the internet and the rapid increase in accessible technology that followed. Through an interview with a participant from Generation X, I will showcase the transformative role that the internet and technology has played in major life events for a digitally native individual compared to that of individuals from older generations. As a member of Generation Z, I will compare my personal narrative regarding ten different life events occurring between the ages of five to 25 that I feel are common and impactful to the narrative a of non-digitally native individual. I expect to see that the internet and the creation of cyber culture that we see through social media has enhanced many of the defining events for younger generations growing up in some positive ways as well as some negative ways. Thus, growing up only knowing the internet and its purposes has altered the way that our experiences play out as we age, for good and for bad.
ContributorsTomchak, Marissa Janine (Author) / Ingram-Waters, Mary (Thesis director) / Brian, Jennifer (Committee member) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
This essay serves as a study of the pre-internet analogues to the modern internet meme, as well as the origins and cultural transmission thereof. I would like to take a deeper look into the history of this kind of cultural phenomenon and how these “proto-memes” arose, spread, and translated between cultures before the internet facilitated all of these functions. This would then be contrasted to how this occurs currently. There are many studies that examine the cultural impact and workings of internet memes, but markedly fewer that take a look at what came before them and how this aspect of culture evolved. It is reasonable, and accurate, to determine that the internet has been a monumental factor in the meteoric rise of memetic culture, but every culture must have had their own equivalent humor in the form of inside jokes and shared humorous stories. These can and have taken several different forms, such as critique of Napoleon’s height, political cartoons, and even graffiti. I will be taking a look at cultural movements and trends in several pre-internet cultures, including Ancient Greece, Britain, and 20th century America. I will then be examining the origin, spread, and cross-cultural impact that these trends had in comparison to what can be expected of internet memes in the current day. Several of the aforementioned cultural trends are things that are recognized today and managed to spread surprisingly well given limited communication. As expected, the internet makes it much easier to create, share, repurpose, and spread memes than ever before. However, many of the proto-memes from older civilizations are still recognized and discussed today, meaning they have withstood the test of time miraculously well and likely better than any modern memes ever will.
ContributorsDarr, Jackson Cole (Author) / Ingram-Waters, Mary (Thesis director) / Tremblay, Rikki (Committee member) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-12
Description
This thesis explores the accuracy and relevance of the representation of the prison industrial complex in the show Orange is the New Black and the potential impact it has on viewers. The data is collected from the show as well as relevant news stories. The conclusion is not a stamp of “accurate” or “inaccurate”, rather it is a discussion on the different impacts the show could have on viewers that have different exposure to the prison industrial complex. Finally, there are suggestions for further study and a call to action for television and film executives.
ContributorsSpromberg, Ellyse Delano (Author) / Ingram-Waters, Mary (Thesis director) / Foy, Joseph (Committee member) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-12
Description
There is a noticeable trend within audiences, made exceptionally more prominent by the rise of social media, in how fan artists and fandoms depict their favorite characters from particular media. In the case of anime like My Hero Academia and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, hypermasculine characters often emulate intense energy and toxic traits that viewers should normally recognize as problematic. However, there has been a growing movement within fandom culture to depict these hyper violent male characters in increasingly peaceful ways, often softening the character or surrounding them with flowers in a “flower child” vibe. This begs the question of why fandom has been attracted to this archetype in such a different way than before, and what attributes of traditional hypermasculinity lead to this level of admiration. Trends of romanticizing masculine energy is not new to fandom but while many focused on the admirable friendship and bonds between characters, this new trend seems to either idolize toxic and damaging behavior, or ignore it entirely. This research paper studies on notable case of this transformation process in the character of Katsuki Bakugo from My Hero Academia, demonstrating how an aggressive and violent character can be depicted in soft and gentle settings through fan created artworks.
ContributorsDilullo, Bryce C (Author) / Ingram-Waters, Mary (Thesis director) / Wilson, Bradley (Committee member) / Economics Program in CLAS (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-12
Description
This essay culturally examines the subculture of drum corps and how the experience affects members personal and professional life outside of the activity. As a visual arts activity that crosses music and visual effect, the essay works to analyze the plentiful social effect drum corps has on its members. Specifically, I analyze the aspects of life that may be affected by the drum corps experience, including importance of relationships, work ethic, and teamwork.
With very little research on the drum corps community, there is a lack of true understanding of how lives after drum corps may be affected. However, we might expect that the dedication increases the quality of life due to the education focusing on individual success as opposed to competitive success (Chavez, 2016). Similarly, we might expect that personal and professional life will improve through the discipline and process that happens in choral groups, high school band, and orchestra settings (Vance, 2014).
Through an interview format, I will analyze the effect of drum corps on the member’s lives outside of the sport, asking questions that reflect on the effects of drum corps that reflect personal and professional growth. The questions will serve as guides in the interview process to allow participants to freely share experiences without constraint.
We see that the drum corps community carries subcultural significance with unique personal language, logistical understandings, and care for the activity. We also see that participation in any singular season with a drum corps has lasting effects on personal and professional growth. We are left with an understanding of a forgotten community and the lasting effect the subculture has on a wide variety of lives. With deep understandings in commitment, community, and cultural significance, drum corps provides an experience to young adults that will have lasting affects not only within music and performance education, but with the longer experience of life.
With very little research on the drum corps community, there is a lack of true understanding of how lives after drum corps may be affected. However, we might expect that the dedication increases the quality of life due to the education focusing on individual success as opposed to competitive success (Chavez, 2016). Similarly, we might expect that personal and professional life will improve through the discipline and process that happens in choral groups, high school band, and orchestra settings (Vance, 2014).
Through an interview format, I will analyze the effect of drum corps on the member’s lives outside of the sport, asking questions that reflect on the effects of drum corps that reflect personal and professional growth. The questions will serve as guides in the interview process to allow participants to freely share experiences without constraint.
We see that the drum corps community carries subcultural significance with unique personal language, logistical understandings, and care for the activity. We also see that participation in any singular season with a drum corps has lasting effects on personal and professional growth. We are left with an understanding of a forgotten community and the lasting effect the subculture has on a wide variety of lives. With deep understandings in commitment, community, and cultural significance, drum corps provides an experience to young adults that will have lasting affects not only within music and performance education, but with the longer experience of life.
ContributorsVine, Ilona Sofia (Author) / Ingram-Waters, Mary (Thesis director) / Hebda, Martin (Committee member) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor, Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-12
Description
Pedagogical researchers have explored pop culture media in educational settings in the past. However, pop culture media is always evolving. Teachers should be aware that students have already formed their own cultural activities and work with them, rather than neglect them. Anime has remained largely unexplored in this context despite its popularity. Its animation style and storyline may provide exciting moments that are memorable to young adults. This study examines the potential of anime, a style of Japanese animation, in educating through a visual medium. Recent anime have successfully incorporated science into their storytelling.
The 2019 anime, Dr. Stone, follows a high schooler and his friends as they attempt to use science to restore human society after 3,700 years of global petrification. Through qualitative analysis and coding of select episodes of Dr. Stone, this study examines the ways in which scientific concepts in engineering, chemistry and geology are taught. It also examines the significance of science and representation of scientists within its storyline. Dr. Stone presents an image of science which is interesting, relevant and understandable to adolescent students through its compelling visuals and engaging story. Through its characters, it also presents a relatable and less stereotypical image of scientists. Innovative pop culture media like anime is one way of generating interest in science among adolescents and challenging preconceived notions of science. Educators may find it useful in a classroom setting.
The 2019 anime, Dr. Stone, follows a high schooler and his friends as they attempt to use science to restore human society after 3,700 years of global petrification. Through qualitative analysis and coding of select episodes of Dr. Stone, this study examines the ways in which scientific concepts in engineering, chemistry and geology are taught. It also examines the significance of science and representation of scientists within its storyline. Dr. Stone presents an image of science which is interesting, relevant and understandable to adolescent students through its compelling visuals and engaging story. Through its characters, it also presents a relatable and less stereotypical image of scientists. Innovative pop culture media like anime is one way of generating interest in science among adolescents and challenging preconceived notions of science. Educators may find it useful in a classroom setting.
ContributorsArellano, Estefania (Author) / Ingram-Waters, Mary (Thesis director) / Wolf, Leigh (Committee member) / Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-12