A Great Time to Be a Nerd: A Phenomenological Study of Pop Culture Enthusiasts and Fandom

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dc.contributor.advisorFranken, Noah
dc.creatorGlenn, Dane Thomas
dc.creator.orcid0000-0002-6969-3330
dc.date.accessioned2020-03-17T14:47:14Z
dc.date.available2020-03-17T14:47:14Z
dc.date.created2019-12
dc.date.issued2020-02-28
dc.date.submittedDecember 2019
dc.date.updated2020-03-17T14:47:15Z
dc.description.abstractThis thesis explores the significance of pop culture and fandom in the lives of local pop culture enthusiasts. Existing fandom studies focus on sports, religion, or politics whereas most media-based pop culture research involves niche fandoms. This study is important because it broadens the scope of the latter, aids to the dissolvement of associated stereotypes, and contributes to a third-wave movement of pop culture fandom research. Eight individuals were selected to participate in this study using purposive sampling. In-depth, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted. By employing Colaizzi’s seven-step method of phenomenological data analysis, subthemes were identified and then categorized in terms of similarity. From there, three dominate themes emerged: nostalgia, connection to media, and social belonging/self-identity. These three themes allow for better understanding as to why pop culture is integral to an individual’s life.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11310/270
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.subjectKeywords: pop culture, fandom, nostalgia, social belonging, relatability
dc.titleA Great Time to Be a Nerd: A Phenomenological Study of Pop Culture Enthusiasts and Fandom
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialtext
thesis.degree.departmentCommunication Studies
thesis.degree.disciplineCommunicaton
thesis.degree.grantorWest Texas A&M University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameM. A.

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