Academicizing

Academicizing refers to the process of making something more scholarly, theoretical, or aligned with academic principles and practices. It often involves formalizing, intellectualizing, and introducing rigorous methods, research, and critical analysis to a subject, activity, or discourse. This transformation can extend to various domains, from popular culture and everyday life to artistic expression and political movements. The goal is often to provide a deeper understanding, increase legitimacy, and foster intellectual engagement, though it can sometimes result in increased complexity, jargon, and detachment from practical concerns.

Academicizing meaning with examples

• The study of street art began to academicize, leading to detailed analyses of its historical context, semiotics, and social impact. Early enthusiasts might find the resulting scholarship beneficial, but may find the new methodologies confusing. The works of street art previously admired as purely aesthetic expression became subject to scholarly scrutiny with each new essay.
• As the field of game design started to academicize, universities launched degree programs and conducted research on player behavior, narrative development, and the psychological impact of gameplay. Academic writing around the subject exploded in popularity, although some players found the focus of academicization was out of touch with their experience of gameplay.
• The recent trend to academicize the business world involves using formal research methods to evaluate marketing campaigns, organizational structures, and management techniques. These actions, while attempting to be more systematic, can come at the cost of business practicality or quick adjustments for change, making the whole undertaking slower.
• Efforts to academicize political activism have led to a surge in think tanks, policy papers, and theoretical frameworks. These organizations work to better influence government actions, and their effectiveness has been a cause for discussion. The intent is to build political theory to enhance the movement's goals.
• Some argue that Academicizing popular music, by applying music theory and sociological analysis, can both deepen our understanding of the art form and remove its enjoyment. In contrast others would counter that it simply provides a new level of critical appraisal, with which new audiences can experience the power of music.