How has the academic reception of popular genres changes over time?
Popular genres as a field of academic study has not always been widely accepted and studied among universities. Some notable forms of popular genres include anime, comics, fantasy, and science-fiction. Historically, academics have viewed popular genres as simple, exaggerated and formulaic forms of literature (Schneider-Mayerson, 2010). As a result, they were not taken as seriously in comparison to more elevated literary classics at the time. Additionally, the academic elite, typically white, Anglo-Saxon, English speakers, were able to maintain this perspective for many years. However, as popular genres continued to evolve and make use of technological advancements, they have slowly become accepted into the academic realm. Nowadays, popular genre papers are more commonplace in the university curriculum and often sit alongside, or are integrated with, traditional literary papers.
What might the value be of studying them?
Popular genres can be a beneficial subject to study for numerous reasons. As forms of popular genres continue to challenge genre conventions and evolve through new multi-modal techniques, popular genres continue to gain a wider global audience. Consequently, popular genres will hold greater cultural importance and will serve as a cultural artefact of a particular time and place. Additionally, through the accessibility of popular genres, traditionally marginalised groups and individuals can bring their unique experiences and perspectives into new forms of storytelling. Terry Eagleton (Prof. of Cultural Theory at the University of Manchester) argues that because of this, popular genres can now be used as a form of social commentary.
References.
Schneider-Mayerson, M. (2010). Popular fiction studies: The advantages of a new field. Studies in Popular Culture, 33(1), 21-35.
Pop Genres 2020 