Buffy studies

Buffy studies (also referred to as Buffyology by insiders) is a term applied to the collection of written works about, and the university courses that discuss aspects of, the television program Buffy the Vampire Slayer and, to a lesser extent, its spin-off program Angel. It explores issues related to gender and other philosophical issues as expressed through the content of these shows. Such work is concerned with the scholarly study and exploration of Joss Whedon's popular television series that take place in the fictional Buffyverse.

Neda Ulaby of NPR describes Buffy as having a "special following among academics, some of whom have staked a claim in what they call 'Buffy Studies'".[1] Though not widely recognized as a distinct discipline, the term "Buffy studies" is commonly used amongst the academic Buffy-related writings.[2]

Development as academic field

Slayage logo

The debut of Buffy (1997–2003) eventually led to the publication of a number of books and hundreds of articles examining the themes of the show from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives including sociology, psychology, philosophy, theology and women's studies. Since January 2001 Slayage: The Online Journal of Buffy Studies has published essays on the topic quarterly, and it continues to do so. Fighting the Forces: What's at Stake in Buffy the Vampire Slayer was published in 2002, and since then many more Buffy books have been published by academic book publishers. There have also been a number of international conferences on the topic.[3] "College courses across the globe are devoted to the show, and secondary schools in Australia and New Zealand also provide Buffy classes."[4] The topic can even be undertaken as part of a Master's degree in Cult Film & TV at Brunel University, London.[5] Increasingly Angel is being analyzed alongside its predecessor, e.g. in the 2005 publication, Reading Angel.

The creator of Buffy, Joss Whedon, has responded to the scholarly reaction to his series: "I think it's great that the academic community has taken an interest in the show. I think it's always important for academics to study popular culture, even if the thing they are studying is idiotic. If it's successful or made a dent in culture, then it is worthy of study to find out why. Buffy, on the other hand is, I hope, not idiotic. We think very carefully about what we're trying to say emotionally, politically, and even philosophically while we're writing it... it really is, apart from being a pop-culture phenomenon, something that is deeply layered textually episode by episode."[6]

The Third International Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses was held June 5–8, 2008 at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.[7]

The response to this scholarly attention has had its critics. Jes Battis who authored Blood Relations in Buffy and Angel admits that study of the Buffyverse "invokes an uneasy combination of enthusiasm and ire", and meets "a certain amount of disdain from within the halls of the academy".[8]

Examples of explored themes

Gender studies

Pop culture studies

Media studies

Family studies

Aesthetics

Additional works

The full title "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" is shortened to BtVS in the following table.

Book title Released Description Author(s)
The Afterlife of Genre: Remnants of the Trauerspiel in Buffy the Vampire Slayer 2014 An analysis, drawing on Walter Benjamin, of the hidden theology of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the television series in general. Anthony Curtis Adler
Buffy and Angel Conquer the Internet 2009 A multidisciplinary examination of the two series' fandom. Mary Kirby-Diaz (editor)
Buffy Goes Dark 2009 A look at the final two seasons of BtVS, aired on UPN. Lynne Y. Edwards, Elizabeth L. Rambo, James B. South
Faith and Choice in the Works of Joss Whedon April 2008 Exploration of the spiritual and ethical choices made in the Buffyverse by K. Dale Koontz. K. Dale Koontz
The Existential Joss Whedon: Evil and Human Freedom in BtVS, Angel, Firefly and Serenity April 2006 This book examines Joss Whedon's work in an existential light, focusing on ethics, good vs evil, choice, and free will. Michael Richardson, J. Douglas Rabb
Aesthetics of Culture in BtVS January 2006 Matthew Pateman's examination of the cultural commentary contained in Buffy. Matthew Pateman
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BFI TV Classics) December 2005 Extended overview of the history of Buffy. Anne Billson
Why Buffy Matters October 2005 Rhonda Wilcox, presents an argument for Buffy as an art form as worthy of respect and acknowledgment as film or literature. Rhonda V. Wilcox
Reading Angel September 2005 Collection covering many topics including the cinematic aesthetics of Angel, its music, shifting portrayals of masculinity, the noir Los Angeles setting, and the superhero. Stacey Abbott (editor)
Blood Relations June 2005 Explores conceptions of family explored in Buffy and Angel. Jes Battis
Sex and the Slayer April 2005 Sex and the Slayer provides an introduction to feminism through Buffy. Lorna Jowett
Five Seasons of Angel October 2004 A science-fiction novelist and other writers contribute a collection of essays on Angel. Glenn Yeffeth (editor)
Televised Morality: The Case of BtVS April 2004 Book arguing that TV helps shapes society's moral values, and in this case specifically Buffy. Gregory Stevenson
What Would Buffy Do: BtVS as Spiritual Guide April 2004 Look at the spiritual guidelines and religious themes on display in Buffy despite the atheism of the show's creator. Jana Riess
Reading the Vampire Slayer March 2004 The book gives in-depth analysis highlighting the many hidden metaphors held within Buffy and Angel. Roz Kaveney
Seven Seasons of Buffy September 2003 A science-fiction novelist and other writers contribute a collection of essays on Buffy. Glenn Yeffeth (editor), David Brin (Goodreads Author) (contributor), Justine Larbalestier (contributor)
Slayer Slang July 2003 An in depth study on the post-modern youth language used in Buffy. Michael Adams
Bite Me: Narrative Structures in BtVS May 2003 Relating narrative structures with: audience pleasure, mise en scène, and the use of symbolism and metaphor. Sue Turnbull
Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy May 2003 Short biography of the creator of Buffy, featuring interviews with various casts and crews he has worked with, and an analysis of his creative processes. Candace Havens
BtVS and Philosophy March 2003 Links classical philosophy to the ethics in Buffy. James B. South, William Irwin (editor)
Fighting the Forces April 2002 Looks at the struggle to examine meaning in Buffy. Rhonda V. Wilcox (Editor), David Lavery (editor)
Music, Sound, and Silence in BtVS May 2010 This book describes the show's imaginative and widely varied use of music, sound and silence. Paul Attinello, Janet K. Halfyard (editor), Vanessa Knights (editor)
Once Bitten: An Unofficial Guide to the World of Angel November 2004 Features a history of the show; a section profiling the best websites; a look at Buffy and Angel's recognition in academic circles; a complete episode guide to all five series of Angel; and exclusive behind-the-scenes photos. Nikki Stafford
Bite Me! Sarah Michelle Gellar and "BtVS" December 1998 Revised and updated to include information about all six seasons of Buffy, this ultimate guide to one of televisions hottest shows also includes capsule reviews of the full first three seasons of the spin-off Angel, with more emphasis put on the crossover episodes between the two shows. Nikki Stafford
Bite Me! An Unofficial Guide to the World of BtVS September 2002 BITE ME! spotlights Sarah's role in the show and features entertaining commentary on each episode, as well as background information about the stories in them (Re-released in 2008). Nikki Stafford
Undead TV: Essays on "BtVS" January 2008

In Undead TV, media studies scholars tackle the Buffy phenomenon and its many afterlives in popular culture, the television industry, the Internet, and academic criticism. Contributors engage with critical issues such as stardom, gender identity, spectatorship, fandom, and intertextuality.

Elana Levine (Editor), Lisa Parks (Editor)
BtVS: The Monster Book August 2000 This book delves into the folklore that inspired the show's bad guys - their mythology, science, cultural, literary and historial origins. Christopher Golden, Thomas E. Sniegoski
Buffy Chronicles: The Unofficial Companion to BtVS December 1998 The Buffy Chronicles includes a retrospective of the film that started it all, a history of vampire legends, cast information, plot synopses, and behind-the-scenes trivia. A guide to the alternative music and bands that add so much atmosphere, this book has everything Buffy's fans could want. Ngaire E. Genge.
Dusted: The Unauthorized Guide to BtVS January 2010 Dusted details and reviews all 144 episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayerin exhaustive detail—with story summaries, quotes, notes on magic, character development, a rolling Slayer Kill-Count and more. Lawrence Miles, Lars Pearson, Christa Dickson
The Q Guide to BtVS March 2008 Go behind the scenes of the smash hit television show that just won’t die! From its origins as a reviled movie to its seven-year reign on the WB and UPN, Buffy spawned a new generation of vampire lovers. Gregory L. Norris
The Complete Slayer: An unofficial and unauthorised guide to every episode of BtVS November 2004 Whether you're a seasoned Slayerette or a novice, this bumper guide to the complete seven series is your indispensable companion to Buffy's universe. Keith Topping
Romance in BtVS: Love at Stake July 2014 Revisits the sometimes destructive and undeniably unforgettable relationships that make up the Buffyverse. Carrie Sessarego
Blood, sex and education - teenage problems and fears as presented in 'BtVS' July 2007 The writer analyses how and to what extent teenager problems and highschool youth culture combined with the fantastic motif of vampirism manage to address especially a young audience. David Gerlach
The Fool's Journey Through Sunnydale: A Look At The Archetypes of The Major Arcana through BtVS February 2010 Exploring the meanings of each Major Arcana card as depicted in lore, and in the hit television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Mary Caelsto
The Quotable Slayer (BtVS) December 2003 Collection of the funniest, most telling, and often poignant quotes from the Emmy-nominated television show. Micol Ostow (Goodreads Author), Steve Brezenoff
Hollywood Vampire: A revised and updated unofficial and unauthorised guide to Angel January 2004 This unofficial fan bible is updated to include every episode of seasons three and four, encompassing the highlights of the show in categories. Keith Topping
Buffy in the Classroom: Essays on Teaching with the Vampire Slayer September 2010 This book combines the academic and practical aspects of teaching by exploring the ways in which Buffy the Vampire Slayer is taught, internationally, through both interdisciplinary and discipline-based approaches. Essays describe how Buffy can be used to explain--and encourage further discussion of--television's narrative complexity, archetypal characters, morality, feminism, identity, ethics, non-verbal communication, film production, media and culture, censorship, and Shakespeare, among other topics.[15] Jodie A. Kreider (editor), Meghan K. Winchell (editor)
The Physics of the Buffyverse December 2006 In the tradition of the bestselling The Physics of Star Trek, acclaimed science writer Jennifer Ouellette explains fundamental concepts in the physical sciences through examples culled from the hit TV shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off, Angel. Jennifer Ouellette
Buffy, Ballads, and Bad Guys Who Sing: Music in the Worlds of Joss Whedon November 2010 Buffy, Ballads, and Bad Guys Who Sing: Music in the Worlds of Joss Whedon studies the significant role that music plays in these works, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to the internet musical Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Kendra Preston Leonard (editor)
The Truth of Buffy: Essays on Fiction Illuminating Reality June 2008 In this collection of critical essays, 15 authors from several disciplines, including literature, the visual arts, theatre, philosophy, and political science, study ways in which Buffy illuminates viewers' real-life experiences. Emily Dial-Driver (editor), Sally Emmons-Featherston (editor)
The Girl's Got Bite: The Original Unauthorized Guide to Buffy's World 1998 This companion guide covers all aspects of the Buffy phenomena-from the 1992 feature film starring Kristy Swanson and Luke Perry, to the development and production of the current hit TV series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar. Kathleen Tracy
Redeemed: The Unauthorized Guide To Angel November 2006 Redeemed" critiques the entire show in berserk detail, with an eye toward reconciling the features of the "Angel"-verse against themselves, and dissecting the formidable vision of "Angel" producers Joss Whedon, Tim Minear, Jeffrey Bell and their Mutant Enemy colleagues. Lars Pearson, Christa Dickson (Goodreads Author)

See also

References

  1. Ulaby, Neda, "- 'Buffy Studies'", National Public Radio (May 13, 2003)
  2. Lavery, David, & Wilcox, Rhonda V., Slayage.tv (2001-). The term is in use from the full title of Slayage: Slayage: The Online International Journal of Buffy Studies, and thus has become used in essays by those who contribute to scholarship relating to Buffy. For example, Cantwell uses the term in her essay "While such studies, particularly in Buffy studies, have explored these knowledges, and modes of community 'politics' and interaction" (Marianne Cantwell, "Collapsing the Extra/Textual: Passions and Intensities of Knowledge in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Online Fan Communities", 2004)
  3. See: "Boffins get their teeth into Buffy", BBC (18 October 2002). "Vampires: Myths and Metaphors of Enduring Evil" Wickedness.net (2002). "The Slayage Conference on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Paper Archive", Slayage.tv (2004). These sources report on three conferences respectively: "Blood, Text and Fears" (University of East Anglia, UK, 2002), Myths and Metaphors of Enduring Evil (Budapest, Hungary, 2003), and "The Slayage Conference" (Nashville, USA, 2003).
  4. Scholars lecture on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Archived March 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine., Ctv.ca (May 29, 2004).
  5. "Study Buffy at university", Metro.co.uk (May 16, 2006) MA course at Brunel University, West London. Although this course has now been withdrawn from the postgraduate prospectus from Aug 2011, and is no longer available.
  6. "Joss Whedon". The New York Times. 2003-05-16. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  7. http://www.hsu.edu/philosophy/
  8. Battis, Jes, Blood Relations, McFarland & Company (June 2005), page 9.
  9. http://fap.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/17/3/415
  10. http://www.upne.com/0-8195-6757-4.html
  11. http://ecs.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/8/3/275
  12. http://you.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/3/269
  13. http://qsw.sagepub.com/content/vol6/issue3/
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-10-25. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  15. https://books.google.nl/books/about/Buffy_in_the_Classroom.html?id=lCMWQJPYQ8QC&redir_esc=y

External links

Online works

References in the media

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