If you go to Ursinus College in suburban Philly, you may soon get the opportunity to study the finer points of Sarah Michelle Gellar and her work in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If that doesn’t sound like a noble economic pursuit, I don’t know what is. I guess TV is art, so this is kind of like a class about famous works of literature or painting or sculpture. And if any TV should be classified as art, why shouldn’t it be something from the WB? My choice would have been The Wayans Brothers, but Buffy was just as good.
If you really want art, featuring Sarah Michelle Gellar, this is it:
For any of you out there that are interested in Buffy related scholarship, take a look at this. Even more importantly, if you, like me, are interested in attending a conference where people tell you about how they are wasting student money with Buffy the Vampire Slayer related classes, make sure you attend this conference.
I did a little searching and found some college courses that were much stupider than any Buffy related courses could ever be. Here are our top five:
1. ‘The Phallus’ – Occidental College -A seminar in critical theory and social justice, this class examines Sigmund Freud, phallologocentrism and the lesbian phallus.
2. ‘"Mail Order Brides?" Understanding the Philippines in Southeast Asian Context’- Johns Hopkins University
3. ‘Cyberfeminism’ – Cornell University
4. Lessons from Lost: A Case Study Vanderbilt University
5. Super Smash Brothers Theory and Practice Experimental College, Oberlin College
Honorable Mention: Invented Languages: Klingon and Beyond -University of Texas-Austin
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Loyola New Orleans had (still has?) an infamous course dedicated solely to studying Harrison Ford movies.
I read similar article also named Buffy The Vampire Slayer 101 and Other Stupid College Courses, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me
There’s absolutely no reason not to study television, particularly if you believe the study of film is valid.
I’m a graduate student in English literature – early modern studies, specifically; I understand the importance of classic intellectual pursuits. But television is a new medium, and it reaches thousands of people. While some programmes are idiotic (Charmed comes to my mind), others become cultural phenomena, with layered dialogue and situations as old as those in Shakespeare.
Buffy, a cult programme which at its heart showcases a heroine’s battle between good and evil, certainly fits the bill. Why would you not study it, alongside, of course, more traditional educations pursuits?
Very well said, Lauren. I too am an English major. I write articles for fun in my spare time on “Buffy The Vamprie Slayer” and “Angel”. I believe television is the new academic medium. It can be art like anything else, and can be interpreted in many ways. I believe recent trends in television can he studied as a lens to revelations on our current society. Both shows, I believe, explore complex themes and ask complex questions about what it means to be human – which is what is at the heart of all good literature. Don’t believe me? Check out some of the articles on this site: http://slayageonline.com/
A lot of people take this show quite seriously. There is a reason for this.
well I am in school and I have to take what my school refers to as a core A class… Id rather take a class on buffy ANY day of the week than greek mythology or some of the other stuff that isnt related to my major. I mean hey if you HAVE to take an elective Id rather do it on a cool T.V. show then some other more “dated” classes that are useless!!!
Thanks for the information. There seems to be a never ending supply of great information on the net. I love learning new stuff, and will be back to read your posts regularly !! Thanks again
i love both Sarah Michelle Gellar and Michelle Trachtenberg on the TV Series Buffy the vampire slayer. although i have to say that ms. tracthtenberg is prettier than ms. gellar.