Shayne Pepper
Shayne
Pepper
Professor
Communication, Media and Theatre
College of Arts and Sciences
Graduate Studies and Research
(773) 442-5962
Expertise
Film History, Television Studies, New Media, Critical/Cultural Theory, HBO, HIV/AIDS media
Courses Taught
CMTM 468: Seminar in New Media
CMTM 467: Special Topics in Film and Television (HBO: TV History and Theory)
CMTM 467: Special Topics in Film and Television (Reality Television)
CMTM 466: Media and Cultural Studies
CMTM 465: Mass Communication Theory
CMTC 401: Introduction to Graduate Study
CMTC 393: Professional Experience Seminar
CMTM 390: NEIU Cinematheque
CMTM 380A: Television Genres
CMTM 380: Special Topics in Television (Netflix and Contemporary Television)
CMTM 380: Special Topics in Television (HBO Past and Present)
CMTM 377: Gender and Media
CMTM 374: Special Topics in Film (French New Wave Cinema)
CMTM 374: Special Topics in Film (A24 and Contemporary American Cinema)
CMTM 373: World Cinema
CMTM 365: Contemporary Issues in Mass Media
CMTC 300: Mediated Communication
CMTM 265: Mass Media and Society
CMTM 160: Introduction to Cinema
ZHON 191: Honors - Introduction to the Arts
Research Interests
Dr. Shayne Pepper's research agenda is at the intersection of popular media, political activism, and public service. In particular, Dr. Pepper studies how film, television, and new media technologies are used to foster political activism and affect public policy with a focus on HBO's HIV/AIDS programming.
Education

Ph.D. Communication, Rhetoric, & Digital Media - North Carolina State University (2011)

M.A. Film Studies - University of Iowa (2007)

B.A. Drama & Communication - University of New Orleans (2004)

Selected Publications

"Cultural Programming and the Early History of HBO's Signature Style, 1978-1988." The Journal of Cinema and Media Studies, 61.5 (2021-2022), 86-112.

Subscribing to Governmental Rationality: HBO and the AIDS Epidemic.” Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies 11.2 (June, 2014), 120-138.

"HBO and the Story of AIDS." Communication Currents 9.3 (June, 2014)

“Public Service Entertainment: HBO’s Interventions in Politics and Culture” in Media Interventions. Kevin Howley (ed). (New York: Peter Lang, 2013), 127-142.

Beyond Netflix and TiVo: Rethinking HBO Through the Archive.” FlowTV.org, May 21, 2010

“Joanna Newsom Covers in the Blogosphere” in Visions of Joanna Newsom. Bradley W. Buchanan (ed). (Sacramento, CA: Roan Press, 2010).

Invisible Children and the Cyberactivist Spectator.” Nebula 6.4 (December, 2009), 40-55.

Background

Before earning his Ph.D. in Communication, Rhetoric, & Digital Media at North Carolina State University, Dr. Pepper earned an M.A. in Film Studies from the University of Iowa and a B.A. in Drama & Communication from the University of New Orleans. His work has appeared in The Journal of Cinema and Media Studies, Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies, Nebula, FlowTV, and Culture Machine. He has also contributed book chapters to several edited collections.

Room FA 239
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

(773) 442-5962
Office Hours
Monday: 10:00-11:00 a.m. (Zoom)
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m.-noon
Thursday: 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Also by appointment.
Main Campus