Get Real! Reality TV and Social Life

Course Description

From competition shows and home renovation programs to dating series and survival challenges, reality TV reflects and shapes the way we think about relationships, community, identity, and power. This first-year seminar takes the genre seriously as a cultural object, pairing popular reality TV shows with academic texts and social science theory to help students develop the critical tools to analyze both media and the real world it reflects. Students will ask questions like: How do contestants navigate group dynamics to influence votes, eliminate enemies, and win money? How do home improvement shows change communities and design trends? How do we relate to the natural environment? Is it something to be tamed, respected, or feared? What does love mean to us culturally and what does it look like?

The course builds skills in critical thinking, cultural analysis, and social scientific reasoning, giving students a framework for understanding not just what they watch, but how culture works more broadly. Students will also be introduced to the resources and rhythms of campus life at UNC Asheville, developing the academic habits and community connections that support a successful first year.

Faculty Spotlight

Paige Ambord, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Sociology

Academic background

Dr. Paige Ambord is an Assistant Professor of Sociology specializing in how residents perceive environmental, health, and safety risks in the built environment. Her current research examines how communities understand and anticipate future risks from natural disasters, drawing on interviews with landslide survivors in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene. Dr. Ambord teachs courses on cities, crime, the environment, popular culture, and research methods.

What makes this course meaningful for students?

Dr. Ambord is an avid reality TV fan. Beyond the entertainment value, she genuinely think we can learn a lot about the world by paying attention to the popular culture we create. This course uses reality TV as a lens for exploring bigger social trends, and her hope is that students walk away with a sharper eye for analyzing the culture around them and maybe a new appreciation for the shows they’re already watching.

Favorite spot in Asheville

Dr. Paige Ambord finds that there is nothing quite like time spent along the Blue Ridge Parkway, though when closer to campus, she can often be found at High Five Coffee, getting caffeinated and ready for the day.