Date of Award

Spring 5-7-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

English

College

Honors College

First Advisor

Holmes, Jessica

Second Advisor

Smith, Christian

Third Advisor

Keiner, Louis

Abstract/Description

This paper explores the relationship between the growing belief that media like film, television and advertisements “aren’t that deep” and the decline of English departments within education. This study explores how pillars of English departments, like analysis and rhetorical awareness, are pivotal for students to learn to understand the vast number of digital media that they are faced with every day. Through pop-culture moments of American Eagle “good genes” advertisement campaign, media trends like “red pill” content and stereotypical representation in film, this paper examines how this content is pushed onto students and how departments like English and humanities can divert students from internalizing harmful ideals related to race and gender. This paper argues that mixing both classic English analysis of rhetoric and literature with popular culture will help students have the ability to critically approach media that they face in the world. Ultimately allowing for students to have not only a more well-rounded education but also reenforcing the importance of English and humanities departments in higher education.

Download

Share

COinS