Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in Sociology

First Advisor

Minjoo Oh

Second Advisor

Ross Haenfler

Third Advisor

Kirsten Dellinger

Relational Format

dissertation/thesis

Abstract

In this paper, I attempt to analyze the function of gender messages in media texts and the engagement of audiences with these messages. I adopt an interdisciplinary approach, applying theoretical and methodological concepts from both film studies and audience studies, in order to develop a new model through which to study media texts and fans. I apply this model to an analysis of female characters in the television program Supernatural and to self-identified female fans of Supernatural. Throughout the paper, I contend that such an interdisciplinary model is necessary for understanding media texts and audiences, and I conclude that media fans act as academics in their reading and interpretation of media texts.

Included in

Sociology Commons

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