SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Are there any lessons to learn from Jersey Shore?

Nov 2, 2011, 8:33 AM | Updated: 3:36 pm

What can we learn from this crew? (AP Photo)...

What can we learn from this crew? (AP Photo)

(AP Photo)

rondareynolds
What can we learn from this crew? (AP Photo)

Are there any lessons we can learn from Snooki, JWoww, or DJ Pauly D?

One student at the University thought so, and so he organized an academic conference based around the MTV Show “Jersey Shore.”

“I have been a fan of the show since the very beginning of Season One,” says Jersey Shore conference organizer David Showalter. “I couldn’t help but spend more time thinking about it than maybe the average viewer did.”

When presenting the subject matter for the conference, Showalter says his university was very receptive.

“For people at U Chicago this wasn’t that odd an idea. We sort of pride ourselves on pursuing unusual topics of study, so everyone was like, ‘Yeah, certainly, we should have a conference on Jersey Shore.”

Showalter tells 97.3 KIRO FM’s Ross and Burbank Show that Jersey Shore proved quite an inspired subject for study.

“Everyone got really animated. Everyone was really into it, much more so than in your say average discussion of Platonic justice. When you bring Jersey Shore into the equation, people get much more excited about it.”

Listen to interview: Jersey Shore conference organizer

Show host Luke Burbank suggests Showalter consider the Kardashians for his next study.

“I hope you guys have one on the Kardashians next time around, because there are depths to plumb there my friend,” said Burbank.

“Oh, I agree,” said Showalter.

By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor

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Are there any lessons to learn from Jersey Shore?