What does the study of fans and fandom tell us about media and their audiences?

PARTICIPATORY CULTURES

What does the study of fans and fandom tell us about media and their audiences? Your answer should give reasons why fandom exists, give examples (examples from the class are welcome as well, but you should also provide original examples), and refer to at least one of the assigned readings.

Offer your argument and get to the point quickly – don’t waste time on lengthy introductions and/or summarizing conclusions. You may draw on material from the rest of the course, but these questions are primarily testing your understanding of the material from the final section.

You must refer to one of the readings in the essay.