Dive Brief:
- The Simpsons are among the latest examples of pop-culture being used by universities to help teach students about a variety of subjects, the Associated Press reports.
- Some university courses are focusing on the 25th anniversary of the show, which was officially this week, while others use certain episodes to teach lessons about literature.
- Simpsons references also help grab the attention of students and offer fresh perspectives on time-worn topics.
Dive Insight:
According to Denise Du Verenay, an adjunct professor at St. Xavier University in Chicago who co-authored "The Simpsons in the Classroom: Embiggening the Learning Experience with the Wisdom of Springfield," professors should use whatever they can to reach students, including the Simpsons. The AP lists several examples: a Hofstra University adjunct English professor that has been using Simpsons lessons for about 10 years, and courses related to the Simpsons anniversary at Oswego State University in New York and San Jose State University in California.
The Simpsons, of course, aren't alone here: AMC shows like The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad have also grabbed headlines for their use to teach topics like sociology, literature, and more.