By Steve Kolowich. These days, one measure of a pop-culture phenomenon is how quickly it gets its own college course.
Last summer Rutgers University offered a course on Beyoncé, while Skidmore College held one on Miley Cyrus. A few years ago Rice University listed a course devoted to "the mythology, symbolism, and history of Batman." Professors elsewhere have pegged courses to "The Simpsons," "South Park," "The Wire," "Star Trek," and many other popular TV shows. More...