Date of Award
1-1-2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Specialization
Communication and Leadership
School or Department
School of Leadership Studies
First Advisor
Dr. Heather Crandall
Second Advisor
Dr. Carolyn Cunningham
Abstract
Sitcoms have been a part of the American experience since the dawn of the television. For generations, families have grown up identifying with characters they see every week, and can see themselves within the everyday life situations experienced by characters on their favorite shows. What happens then, when one of America’s favorite sitcoms isn’t really a sitcom? This study is a content analysis of 20 episodes of The Simpsons, from season two to season twenty. Using cultural studies and narrative paradigm, this study examined gender roles and representations in The Simpsons, how they evolved over the life of the program, and how they differ from traditional sitcom representations of gender. The study found that, contrary to the traditional sitcom, The Simpsons satirizes traditional gender stereotypes. Through the development of complex, often contradictory characters, The Simpsons encodes messages to the audience that challenges viewers to expand their view of what is “normal” and “typical” in terms of gender representation.
Recommended Citation
Hamilla, Barbara, "Don'T Have A Cow (Wo)Man!" (2014). Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses. 275.
https://repository.gonzaga.edu/comlead_etds/275
Comments
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