Title: A totally Arcane podcast

Presenter(s): Marie Escobar

Faculty Mentor: Leslie Rossman

College: Edmonds College | Field: Communication Studies | Presentation: Talk | Location: HZL 206 | Link: Spotify

Abstract: In this episode, of Total Mente Informed, hosts Marie Escobar and Jackie Sheppard take a critical media studies approach to analyzing arcane League of Legends, the Netflix animated series based on the popular video. Well, the show initially captivated them with its art characters and storytellers re-watching it through the length of academic theory revealed a more traveling picture. Drawing concepts from multiple frameworks M – social class, cultural studies, feminist theory, critical risk theory, with theory, audience reception, M – the host apply theoretical tools to examine the deeper illogical work of the show. Using Marcus‘s theory, they analyze the central tension between the privilege Pilltover, and the oppressed citizens of Zaun. Doing this, they reveal how class structure and profit motives influence both the story and the production of the show itself. Through cultural studies, the critic how arcane reinforces hegemonic ideologies like the American dream, often rewarding characters who conform to dominant values while punishing or sidelining those who don’t. Feminist, queer theory reveal traveling patterns of gender performance, and the ordering of feminine queer coated characters. Critical race theory, highlights, how characters of color serve, secondary, or stereotype roles, despite the shows seemingly diverse cast. Audience reception theory on covers, resistive readings, particularly among disabled viewers who reject the shows able implications. Finally, the podcast touches a moments of resistance within the narrative, such as Mel’s rejection of Patrico, norms, while noting how this moments are often on their mind by the shows ultimate returned to status quo power structures. This project emerged from the introduction to media studies course with Dr. Leslie Rossman. He reflects how academic theories can transform, however popular media, revealing the hidden messages and dominant ideologies embedded in the content we consume. Through this episode, the host demonstrate how critical analysis can in media literacy and challenge surface level narratives.

Title: Dissecting 2 hands by Tate McRae through Critical Media Analysis

Presenter(s): Hanthorn, Kristina; Rojo, Brandon

Faculty Mentor: Leslie Rossman

College: Edmonds College | Field: Communication Studies | Presentation: Talk | Location: HZL 206 | Link: Spotify

In this podcast episode, we explore Tate McRae's music video "2 Hands" through seven different lenses: social class, cultural studies, feminist theory, critical race theory, queer theory, audience analysis, and how people can resist and transgress. Throughout the episode, we explore how the video reinforces hegemonic norms and dominant ideologies surrounding wealth, gender, race, and sexuality. We investigate how the working-class setting is contrasted with scenes of luxury and desire to illustrate conspicuous consumption. Feminist theory highlights the objectification of McRae's character. Critical race theory exposes plastic representation and the marginalization of people of color. While queer theory notes the video's heteronormativity and erasure of non-heterosexual identities. Through audience analysis, we emphasize how viewers may interpret the video's messages differently based on personal experiences, enabling polysemic and resistive readings. Ultimately, we seek to explain that media texts like "2 Hands" shape societal values, and critical analysis allows viewers to question and resist these narratives, pushing for more inclusive and reflective representations.

Title: Rhetorical Criticism and Elementary (2012-2019)

Presenter(s): Yen, Adrian; Alfred, Malik

Faculty Mentor: Leslie Rossman

College: Edmonds College | Field: Communication Studies | Presentation: Talk | Location: HZL 206 | Link: Spotify

Elementary (2012-2019) was a modern-day adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s late 19th century to early 20th century Sherlock Holmes stories. This podcast is a condensed version of a longer project developed during Dr. Leslie Leslie Rossman’s Introduction to Media Studies class in the 2024-2025 school year. The podcast hosts explore the pilot episode of Elementary using the tools of rhetorical criticism taught in that class, drawing from Critical Media Studies: An Introduction by Brian L. Ott and Robert L. Mack (2020). The excerpted portions shared here pertain to feminist theory (including the dichotomies of public/private and logical/emotional), the logic of safety, and cultural assimilation. Elementary has a number of traits that set it apart from other Sherlock Holmes adaptations, but still succumbs to some of the hegemonic pitfalls common in U.S. television.  Keywords: media studies, feminist theory, screen adaptations.

Title: Critiquing Rhetoric within Media: Black Mirror's San Junipero

Presenter(s): Schmitt Kirsten

Faculty Mentor: Leslie Rossman

College: Edmonds College | Field: Communication Studies | Presentation: Talk | Location: HZL 206 | Link: Spotify

Abstract: This is a small snippet of a bigger 30 minute podcast where my co-host (Ariel Geminiano) and I (Kirsten Schmitt) critically analyze the rhetorical methods used within Netfix’s Black Mirror Season 3 Episode 4, San Junipero. In this podcast we analyze the episode through 7 different areas of media critique pulled from the 3rd edition of the textbook Critical Media Studies: An Introduction by Brian Ott and Robert Mack. The 7 areas are as follows: social class, cultural studies, feminist theory, critical race theory, queer theory, audience analysis, and resistance and transgression. This podcast was produced as a final project for the class CMST&102 Intro to Media Studies: CD.