American Studies Commons^™

Capes, Corsets, Carnivals, And Chronotopes, Nicole Drew

Ray Browne Conference on Cultural and Critical Studies

Little scholarship exists on the topic of cosplay. In this paper, I propose an idea to begin crafting an academic space within which cosplay can exist to help start the conversation. As someone who cosplays at conventions (both comic and anime) frequently, I aim to examine the way I approach what it means to attend a convention in costume. Cosplay can only exist within convention spaces, which not only establishes a boundary around the convention itself but also creates a space allowing for the ritual and play inside of the event exclusively. Cosplay is a modern Carnival that exists within …

Supergay: A Queer Analysis Of The Cw’S "Supergirl", Anna Degalan

Ray Browne Conference on Cultural and Critical Studies

An analysis of queer representation and allusions in superhero narratives has been a subject for debate in the both the queer and feminist fields. Throughout history, many scholars have focused on the storyline of superheroes who have “come out” as part of the LGBTQA+ community in comics and in media. However, my paper addresses how a presumed heterosexual character’s introduction into the community as a superhero can be seen as a direct retelling of a queer “coming out” experience in the CW’s show Supergirl (2015). I will discuss Kara Zor-El Danvers’ “coming out” story as Supergirl, as well as how …

Emerging Feminist Voices On Media And Representation, Diana Depasquale, Cassie Tenorio, Alyssa Wells, Savannah Fulmer

Ray Browne Conference on Cultural and Critical Studies

The work featured in this panel is from students in WS2000, Introduction to Women's Studies. I created an assignment called "Choose Your Own Adventure." These projects include: an examination gender in film, and a revised version of the Bechdel Test, sexism and misogyny in gaming culture expressed through a series of comics, a painting on canvas using a variety of materials and techniques representing the control of women's reproductive rights and the damage done to female bodies by patriarchal language and rhetoric, and an analysis of womanism, scripture and Alice Walker's The Color Purple.

Each student engaged with issues related …