Are these important aspects of American History? YES!
Do historians study topics like Disney World? YES!
Pop Culture and Historical Research
Do you have a history paper to write? Need a topic? Why not pop culture?
Textbooks present history as lists of dates, facts, events, and prominent people. How boring! History is all around us – everyone and everything. Do you like movies, TV, video games, or theme parks? If so, I welcome you to the realm of cultural history where all of these topics are valid and important. One of my friends wrote her dissertation on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel television series.
How to use this site:
I created this site to show you the research process for my thesis - "In Mickey and Minnie's Home: Family, Fantasy and Gendered Experience at Disney World."
- Why Disney - Find out why I selected my topic and get tips for selecting your topic.
- Getting Started - See how I got my topic approved and how I prepared for my onsite research.
- Visiting Disney World - Find out about my experience conducting interviews and analyzing rides and attractions and see my warnings (Disney does not welcome researchers!).
- Observations - Explore some of my findings.
- Ongoing research - Find out about the need for pop culture research and get tips for studying Disney and other topics.
- Comments and Questions – Provide comments or ask questions about this site, about my research or about your own research ideas.
Join me on my exploration of the World-
Disney World!