Tag: media studies
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“Cross-Cultural Mystery: Exploring the Literary Worlds of Edgar Allan Poe and Edogawa Ranpo.” New Course Launching Summer 2023
As a comparative and media scholar, I celebrate the cultural exchange between two of the most prominent writers in the mystery genre, Edgar Allan Poe and Edogawa Ranpo. While Poe’s works have had a significant impact on Western literature, Ranpo’s writings have contributed greatly to the development of Japanese mystery fiction. This article explores the…
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Linking Shakespeare’s Ides of March and Japan’s Tengu Mythology: You Won’t Believe What We Discovered!
Uncovering the Mysteries of the Ides of March and Tengu no Kakuremino: Insights into Tragedy, Mythology, and Human Nature.
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Actor-Network Theory Meets Structuralism: A Powerful Framework for Analyzing Contemporary Social and Cultural Phenomena
In today’s increasingly interconnected world, understanding the complex interplay between actors and structures is more important than ever. By combining the insights of actor-network theory and structuralism, we can develop a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the social and cultural processes shaping our world. In this article, we explore how the thinking of Bruno…
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Saint Onii-san (聖☆おにいさん). Understanding the Japanese Strategy of Syncretism
When we work as anthropologists, especially we media archaeologists, it is central to question our own interpretations as biased at best. Still, there is work to do. Through our tireless dialogues and humdrum carrying-ons there remains the work of turning lead into gold. This alchemy is anthropology. Learning to see the world for what it…
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The Prodigal Son Returns: Prince Zuko, the Blue Spirit, and the Parable of Identity. Assessing the Rhetorics Avatar: The Last Airbender as a Media Theorist
The Blue Spirit is a masked vigilante who initially appears to be an antagonist, fighting against Aang and his companions. However, as the series progresses, it becomes clear that the Blue Spirit is actually Zuko in disguise. By adopting this persona, Zuko is able to detach himself from his responsibilities and explore his own sense…
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The Mascots that Made Us: From Tony the Tiger, to Pikachu.
As a media studies scholar and cereal addict, I find popular culture mascots such as Tony the Tiger and the King Vitamin (my all time fav, second only to Count Chocula) to be fascinating examples of how branding and marketing are used to create narratives that capture the attention and loyalty of audiences.
Nicholas Andriani Rankin 