All Episodes - Trope Watchers - Scholarly Pop Culture Criticism
We are Trope Watchers, the podcast about pop culture and why it matters!
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From the Archives: Why is Gaston a villain, but Ross and Ted “Nice Guys”?
At listener request, here is a re-upload of one of our most popular early episodes released back in 2017. We have no guests in this episode—it's just Scott and Mia (somewhat) affectionately hating on some terrible pop culture men. If you enjoy Game of Thrones or A Song of Ice and Fire, check out our podcast "A Clash of Critics" for deep critical analysis of George R. R. Martin's epic series: tropewatchers.com/aclashofcritics
Disability in Game of Thrones (a lecture excerpt from The University of Sydney)
This video is an excerpt from a lecture in Introduction to Gender Studies delivered by Mia Harrison at the University of Sydney on May 16, 2019. The topic for this week was "Bodily Norms" and covered a broader discussion of disability and fat politics and scholarship. This excerpt only covers the portion of the lecture addressing disability in Game of Thrones, so there are some moments referring back to ideas addressed earlier in the lecture. All student contributions have also been cut out. To view a video version of the lecture with slides, you can watch the video on Youtube.
Sydney’s Drag King Scene and Chemsex Between Men (with Dr Kerryn Drysdale)
We are joined by Dr Kerryn Drysdale to discuss her book, Intimate Investments in Drag King Cultures: The Rise and Fall of a Lesbian Social Scene. We also chat about her work on the 'Crystal, Pleasures and Sex between Men' project, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and WA Health. You can find Kerryn on Twitter. Also check out the Crystal Clear podcast. CW: Both this episode of Trope Watchers and the Crystal Clear podcast discuss topics such as drug use and sex.
Interventionism and Burnham's Three Mummies in Star Trek: Discovery Season 2 (with Dr Tim Steains)
Today we welcome back Dr Tim Steains to chat about Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery. We consider Starfleet's sketchy record with interventionism, Section 31 as a problematic foil for Starfleet, and Burnham's trans-racial parentage You can find more of Tim's work on academia.edu!
Zombies, Pop Culture, and Pedagogy (with Dr Arnold T Blumberg)
To kick off season 3 we are joined by zombie expert Dr Arnold T. Blumberg to chat zombies and their value as a pedagogical tool. We discuss Arnold's book, JOURNEY OF THE LIVING DEAD: A Tribute to Fifty Years of Flesh Eaters, as well as the value of media literacy in education and culture. You can find Arnold on Twitter. Check out ATB Publishing for a range of publications exploring pop culture, including JOURNEY OF THE LIVING DEAD.
Teen Sexuality and Fan Attachments Towards Twilight and Harry Styles (with Dr Grace Sharkey)
For our season 2 finale we are joined by Dr Grace Sharkey, an academic in the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies at the University of Sydney. In today’s episode we will be talking about young girls and their attachments to Stephenie Meyer's Twilight and pop icon Harry Styles, with a particular focus on representations of sex and sexuality. You can find Grace on Twitter.
Looking for Femmes in The L Word, How to Get Away with Murder, and Carol (with Katherine Giunta)
Today we are joined by Katherine Giunta, a PhD candidate with the Department of Anthropology at the University of Sydney. In this episode we look at representations of femmes, femininity, and queerness in The L Word, How to Get Away With Murder, and Carol. Autostraddle article: 30 Days of Carol: Day 6 – Carol Looks Ranked by the Degree to Which They Mark Therese as a Snack
Attachments in Sporting Communities (with Nick Fogarty)
We are joined by Nick Fogarty to hear about his research into cycling in Sydney, and to discuss sporting communities and the various attachments felt by its members – both participating athletes and otherwise. You can find Nick on Twitter.
Indie Music Scenes in Sydney and Bangladesh (with Shams Bin Quader)
We are joined by Shams Bin Quader to hear about his research into the politics of “independence” experienced by local independent musicians of inner-city and inner-west Sydney, and the Dhaka underground scene in Bangladesh. You can find more of Shams's work on ResearchGate and Academia.edu, and can follow him on Twitter. You can also watch Bohemian's music video for "Meghla Din" here.
Star Trek: Discovery (with Dr Tim Steains)
Today we welcome back Dr Tim Steains to chat about Season 1 of Star Trek: Discovery. We consider world building, racial politics, and the potential of speculative fiction. You can find more of Tim's work on academia.edu!
Military Leadership Tropes in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Battlestar Galactica (with Sertan Saral)
Today we are joined by Sertan Saral, a PhD candidate with the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies at the University of Sydney. In this episode we look at the tropes of the 'Ace Pilot,' 'Military Leader,' and 'Ideological Leader' in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Battlestar Galactica, and in particular how these tropes intersect with gender. You can find Sertan on Twitter.
The CSI Effect (with Hayley Cullen)
Welcome to Season 2! Today we are joined by Hayley Cullen, a PhD candidate and research assistant in the forensic psychology lab at the University of Sydney. In this episode we look at the "CSI effect," and how popular understandings of forensic science evidence have the potential to influence juror decision making. You can find Hayley on Twitter and ResearchGate, or you can email her at [email protected]. You can find The Sydney Exoneration Project here. CW: Rape, suicide, murder.
Celebrity Roundup 2017 (with Dr Kate Lonie)
As we enter 2018, it's time to look back on the past year. We are joined by a special guest Kate Lonie to look at 5 key celebrity themes of 2017. What is the cultural (and academic) value in following the Kardashians, the Royals, and Taylor Swift? Join us to find out! You can find Kate on LinkedIn. Her celebrity consumption recommendations are Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud and Celebrity Gossip, Academic Style.
From Firewatch to Dark Souls – Challenging Notions of Accessibility in Gaming (with Nyssa Harkness)
In this episode, Mia and Scott are joined by special guest Nyssa Harkness to chat about accessiblity in video games. Are "accessible" games necessarily "easy" games? Who is accessiblity for? Who is the "human" in "human-centred design"? Join us to find out! You can find Nyssa on academia.edu and Twitter.
Orientalism and Biracial Identity in Lord of the Rings and Star Trek (with Dr Tim Steains)
In this episode, Mia and Scott are joined by special guest Dr Tim Steains! We look at how Orientalism and Techno-Orientalism can be read in Lord of the Rings and Star trek, and examine the complexities of mixed-race characters in sci fi and fantasy. You can find more of Tim's work on academia.edu!