Why do certain stories, characters, franchises, and cultural phenomena capture our imaginations? What can our favorite films, television series, books, games, music, and fandoms teach us about storytelling, identity, community, and culture?

Taking Fun Seriously is an ongoing series taught by Maggie Parke that explores popular culture as a rich and meaningful subject of study. Through discussion, close analysis, and accessible critical frameworks, students will examine the media they love while developing a deeper understanding of the industries, communities, histories, and cultural forces that shape them.

Topics may include fandom and fan communities, popular franchises, adaptation and transmedia storytelling, celebrity and fan culture, global media phenomena, mythology in contemporary culture, genre trends, and the ways audiences engage with stories across platforms and generations. Drawing on everything from Tolkien, fantasy, and science fiction to K-pop, anime, film, television, and emerging cultural trends, the series invites students to explore not only what we love, but why we love it.

Designed for students from any background, Taking Fun Seriously combines scholarly inquiry with enthusiasm, curiosity, and playfulness, creating a welcoming space for anyone interested in examining popular culture with both critical insight and genuine delight.