In the modern day and age, almost everyone is a fan of something--be it a movie, a band, a book, or a celebrity--and as a result, fandoms have become hugely influential social spaces. Starting with the historical conception of the modern fans, this course will work toward an understanding of fan culture in relation to more dominant cultures and explore the material manifestations of fandoms, such as fan fiction. The course will also examine fan culture's consumerism, relationships between fans and the object of their desire, and interactions between different fans. Ultimately, the course should start students thinking critically about the role of fans in today's society: Why do individuals become fans? What powers do they hold and what powers are held over them? Where do fans fall in the social hierarchy and why?