While yes, I think the phenomenon of fanfiction and the internet community is a fascinating thing, I am less than eager to play chimp to their Jane Goodall. Perhaps it's only in the wording, not the intent, but how do we decide which ideas or texts or people are sufficiently important is the sort of academic elitism that gets right up my nose. Also, I am looking *really hard* at the implied judgement in the title of the course and in the description of it -- that "troublesome fans" you pulled out is one of them.

Mostly, I think, I just don't like being the one (one of the ones) on the microscope slide, with uninvolved academics going, "Oh look!"

(How devoted can fans be to their chosen topic, without provoking concern or contempt? ::looks suspicious:: This has me waiting for someone to deliberately provoke a flame war or some serious wank. I'd be more worried about it if it was sociology, but still.)