Meet the Chair: Andrea Press 

Introduction to Andrea Press, Interim Chair of Media Studies in 2021-22 and William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Media Studies and Sociology and her plans for the Department. 

New Courses Examine Power through Comedy and Food Media

Whether it’s learning from YouTube tutorials, scrolling TikTok, or binge-watching our favorite late-night comedy and cooking shows, media consumption has softened the blow of the ongoing pandemic. It’s also served as a source of inspiration for two new Media Studies courses taught by Assistant Professor and General Faculty member Pallavi Rao. 

Roseanne, 9 to 5, Two Broke Girls: Exploring Working-Class Sexism through Television

Motivated by her own observations of gender differences in the workplace and the experiences of working-class women, Bridget Blakely Taylor (BA ’18, MA ’21) used television clips from Roseanne (1988-1997), 9 to 5 (1982-1983), and Two Broke Girls (2011-17) to conduct focus groups and semi-structured interviews with working women in Charlottesville for her master’s thesis.

Alumna is Magic Behind Safiya Nygard's Social Media Success

Social media sensation Safiya Nygaard boasts 1.5 million followers on TikTok, 2.2 million on Instagram, and 9.32 million on YouTube by offering viewers whimsical hacks on fashion and beauty, as well as a glimpse into her daily life. Behind her success is a small team of experts, including Media Studies alumna, Jordan Schneier (’21).