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Profile
Dr. Erin Copple Smith

Dr. Erin Copple Smith

Title: Associate Professor of Media Studies
Department: Media Studies
Degrees: Ph.D., Media & Cultural Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison 2012
M.A., Media & Cultural Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison 2006
B.A., Communication, Denison University 2004
Email
Recent Courses
  • MEDA 261: Media Industries
  • MEDA 262: Hollywood Stars
  • MEDA 263: Independence of Independents
  • MEDA 265: Kids, Tweens, Teens & the Media
  • MEDA 267: Mediating Gender & Sexuality
  • MEDA 315: Global Media Genres
  • MEDA 350: Current Issues in Media
  • MEDA 463: What is TV?
  • MEDA 465: What is Popular Music
  • JanTerm: Marvel: From Comics to Blockbusters
  • JanTerm: The Disney Paradox
Research Interests

My primary areas of research interest lie in media industries, particularly media ownership (who owns what?) and marketing strategies including cross-promotion and product placement. I’m also interested in media representations of gender and sexuality.

Selected Publications

  • “Nick Jr.: A Conglomerate Learns Its Lesson as the TV Industry Shifts Its Focus From Scheduling to Niches to Intellectual Property” In From Networks to Netflix: A Guide to Changing Channels (2nd edition), edited by Derek Johnson, Routledge, 2022.
  • “Teaching Media Industries Through In-Class Activities: Pathways to Engagement & Understanding” In The Routledge Companion to Media Industries, edited by Paul McDonald, Routledge, 2021.
  • “The Night the Lights Went Out at (Most of) NBC: Producing a Network with 1994’s Must-See TV Blackout Stunt” In Very Special Episodes: Televising Industrial & Social Change, edited by Jennifer Porst & Jonathan Cohn, Rutgers University Press, 2021.
  • Various pieces for Playback
  • Various Pieces on Antenna: Responses to Media & Culture

In the News:

  • Center Points Podcast (Episode 006, 2015)
  • “The Future of TV Lies in Content Discovery” (June 2014)
  • Aca-Media Podcast (Episode 6, 2013)

Faculty Extras: 

In addition to teaching in Media Studies, I also teach in Austin College’s interdisciplinary programs Film Studies and Gender Studies.