Course Schedule and Catalog

Department: College Courses

Meeting: 8:00PM - 8:50PM R (13-JAN-2025 - 25-APR-2025) 

Part of Term: Full Term - No WL Purge

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Seminar

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Method of Instruction: Face to Face

Credit Hours: 1

 

Section Max Enrollment: 19

Section Enrolled: 0

Waitlisted: 0 (Max 99) 

Current members of the waitlist have priority for available seats.

Enrollment data as of: 15-NOV-2024 3:19AM

 

 

Final Exam: No Final Exam

 

Description: Fandom is defined as “an interpretive community consisting of dedicated followers of any cultural phenomenon” (Oxford Reference). Engaging in fandom, whether by attending conventions, posting in forums and discussion boards, or producing fan works, is an increasingly common pastime for people of all backgrounds. However, while fandom can be a positive influence, it is not always benign: conflict is common and controversy is routine, both from the inside and outside. Fandom studies is an emerging field understanding how people participate and connect, for better and worse, within these communities. This course invites students to engage in fandom studies and answer the question, “How does analyzing fandom enhance one’s engagement with these communities?” Throughout Explicable Fanomena, students will apply critical lenses to fandom by engaging in discussion, presenting on course material to their peers, and analyzing fan works of their choice. Case studies will include the Beatles and other boy bands, Sherlock Holmes, Star Trek, Harry Potter, My Little Pony, Undertale, KPop stan culture, MXTX’s webnovels, Genshin Impact, Dungeon Meshi, and Chappell Roan. By the end of this course, students will be able to produce a fan work that engages with discussions of fandom phenomena, aka “fanomena”.