Why the Magic Matters - by Alexis Franzese & Jill Peterfeso

About the Book

An interdisciplinary guide to the value of teaching and learning with Disney

Book Synopsis

As education, entertainment, or "edutainment" (as Walt called it), Disney offers its consumers and guests with a wealth of opportunities for learning. In Why the Magic Matters, top Disney scholars and teachers unpack what, why, and how Disney maintains its overwhelming cultural significance in the global entertainment industry. Broken into four parts, "Magic and Strategy," "Authenticity and Simulation," "Nostalgia and Innovation," and "Leisure and Labor," the book offers a framework that juxtaposes ideas found in Disney products, properties, and experiences. From art, film, and television history to Indigenous, disability, and religious studies, each chapter contextualizes Disney within a greater cultural landscape. Students, teachers, and fans will gain insights on what Disney can teach us about pop culture and fresh perspectives on why the magic really does matter.

Review Quotes

As documented by this esteemed panel of experts, education must go beyond instruction and provoke a response. Using Disney as a starting point can help educators create magical moments that transform apprehension into awe and delight.
Sam Gennawey, author of The Disneyland Story: An Unofficial Guide to the Evolution of Walt Disney's Dream

About the Author

Alexis Franzese is the Department Chair and an Associate Professor for the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Elon University. Her research reflects her expertise in both sociology and psychology, and has been published in numerous journals that include International Journal of Scholarship on Teaching and Learning, Personality and Individual Differences, Sociology Compass, Aging and Mental Health, and others.

Jill Peterfeso is the Eli Franklin Craven and Minnie Phipps Craven associate professor of religious studies at Guilford College. She is the author of Womanpriest: Tradition and Transgression in the Contemporary Roman Catholic Church.