About the thesis

[anelma_unelma]

I don't really yet have a very clear picture of all the topics I'll be discussing in the thesis. I've only just started working with the idea a couple of months ago and I've got still some other studying to do, courses to take and of course money to earn. So this is not going to be a very fast writing process.

There is also the slight problem, that

Comments

[pallojaketju]

I'm surprised that your professors haven't heard about fan fiction! They must be really old school :D I study english and even during our basic studies the term did come up couple of times. it's such a good thing that you can educate them! :D I really want to read your thesis when it's finished, you've really found an interesting topic to write about. Good luck! :)

A good opportunity.

[ladymadonnasky]

I'm just picturing you, in front of a bunch of stuffy professors, explaining, "Well a squick is..." and "PWP fiction includes..."

Having to explain fan fiction from the beginning is probably a good thing though. I tried to bring it up in a class and my professor, who specializes in medieval and elizabethian works, cut me off and started talking about copywright infringement and pornography. I wanted to say, ummm... Shakespeare? The original smutty fan fiction author himself?

lol...

[anelma_unelma]

Maybe it's not a bad thing to educate them, but does bring some limitations to the thesis having to cover so much basics. I'm afraid I might not have enough pages to really bring anything new into the field of academic fanfiction studies. But then again, maybe I'll make a dissertation too some day:)

Our department is rather small and our professors two ladies in their sixties. Maybe they are a bit old school indeed.

bibliographical reference

[calanthe11]

And hi again -
I am quite sure you must know this book already, but for the slight chance you don't, be sure you check out Henry Jenkins' Textual Poachers: Television Fans and Participatory Culture. It is not even a very recent book but to my mind still summarizes very well - and academically enough - what is so fascinating about fanfiction (or rather fan-cultures in general). It might give you a good starting point from where to develop your own thesis, too.
All the best
Calanthe
(who cannot believe that comp lit professors have not read Harry Potter.)

Re: bibliographical reference

[anelma_unelma]

Yeah, I know the book and I intent to read it too. Just can't remember for sure now wether our university library had it or not. Must check again.

I know, it's hard to believe someone like that having not read Potter, them being a huge thing and all. But it's true. I don't know about the other professor, but my advisor certainly hasn't/hadn't read them. Guess it's because she thought them mere hildrens book, and not even very good ones'. Literature people tend to be a bit snobbish with books, only readind the Kafkas, and Austers and so on.