THE POPULAR CULTURE STUDIES JOURNAL 2014 Volume 2 Numbers 1 & 2

The Popular Culture Studies Journal (PCSJ) is the official journal of the Midwest Popular and American Culture Association. This volume was edited by Bob Batchelor, with contributions from various associate editors and a book review editor, and encompasses a wide range of topics related to popular culture studies.

Editorial Team

  • Editor: Bob Batchelor, Thiel College

  • Associate Editors:

    • Norma Jones, Kent State University

    • Kathleen Turner, Aurora University

  • Book Review Editor: Jennifer C. Dunn, Dominican University

  • Assistant Editors:

    • Myc Wiatrowski, Indiana University

    • Maja Bajac-Carter, Kent State University

Copyright and Cover Credits

Copyright © 2014 Midwest Popular and American Culture Association. All rights reserved. The cover art includes “Living Popular Culture” by Brent Jones, “Selfie for Peace” by Savannah Jones, and “Party People” by Roob9.

Editorial Advisory Board

The journal features a diverse editorial advisory board consisting of scholars from various universities. Notable members include:

  • Anthony Adah

  • Aaron Barlow

  • Paul Booth

  • Kelli S. Burns

  • Paul Petrovic

  • Paul O’Flinn

Table of Contents

  • Editorial: All Me…All the Time by Bob Batchelor

  • Articles:

    • “Relational Aggression on Film: An Intersectional Analysis of Mean Girls” by Michaela D. E. Meyer, Linda M. Waldron, and Danielle M. Stern

    • “No Face: Implied Author and Masculine Construct in the Fiction of Junot Díaz” by Josef Benson

    • “Frankenstein Performed: The Monster Who Will Not Die” by Jeanne Tiehen

    • “Discipline and Policing: HBO’s The Wire as a Critique of Modern American Culture” by Morgan Shipley and Jack Taylor

    • “Performing Ordinary: Politicians, Celebrity, & the Politics of Representation on Entertainment Talk” by Sue Collins

    • “Communication Deficiencies Provide Incongruities for Humor: The Asperger’s-like Case of The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper” by Karen McGrath

    • “Influence of Popular Television Programming on Students’ Perception about Course Selection, Major, and Career” by Kristy Tucciarone

    • “Partisan Pop Cultural Awareness: Disclosing the Metaphoric Rhetoric of the ‘Culture Wars’” by Jeremy V. Adolphson

    • “‘Social’ TV: Pretty Little Liars, Casual Fandom, Celebrity Instagramming, and Media Life” by Cory Barker

  • Interview: The Popular Culture Studies Journal Interview with George Edward Cheney

  • Book Reviews:

    • The Stuart Hall Forum: Stuart Hall: Relevance and Remembrance by Jennifer C. Dunn

    • “Words Will Break Cement: The Passion of Pussy Riot” by Adam Perry

    • “The Daily You: How the New Advertising Industry is Defining Your Identity and Your Worth” by Janelle Applequist

    • Various other reviews reflecting on contemporary cultural works.

Special Articles and Insights
“Frankenstein Performed: The Monster Who Will Not Die” by Jeanne Tiehen

In her essay, Tiehen explores the many adaptations of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, particularly the 2011 adaptation by Nick Dear and Danny Boyle. She discusses the historical context of the story, societal fears about progress, and the evolving image of Frankenstein and his Creature throughout various media forms.

  • Cultural Resonance: The notion that Frankenstein and the Creature have become emblematic of societal anxieties surrounding scientific progress and moral responsibility.

  • The Monster's Journey: Tiehen details the trajectory of the Creature from a grotesque being to a figure of sympathy and understanding, signifying the complexities of creation and the human condition.

  • Mythological Overlays: Utilizes Roland Barthes's theory of myth to illustrate how adaptations of Frankenstein contribute to the narrative's transformation and cultural meanings.

Tiehen also reflects on how the themes of isolation, ambition, and creation resonate within the context of contemporary society. The dialog between creator and creature mirrors ongoing conversations about scientific ethics and responsibility, emphasizing the enduring relevance of Shelley’s work in modern discourse.