American Superhero Comics 3300-AKoB-MSF-3-Z
The course offers a retrospective look into the historical development of American superhero comics. Often treated as the American mythological tales, superhero stories allow to reflect critically on American culture, society, and most importantly, social problems. The course particularly concentrates on the thematic representations of race, gender, and class conflict. It discusses the following topics:
-the definition of comics
-cultural and academic weight of comics
-the American Superhero: Myth or Fact?
-Golden Age comics
-Silver Age Comics
-Diamond Age Comics: Comics Becoming Literature
-Rethinking Comics as Social Critique
-Writing about Comics
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
K_W02 The student has the knowledge and understanding of the origin and the development of American superhero comics and their literary role.
K_W03 The student has knowledge and understanding of the specialist terminology and methodology, relevant for the analysis of comics.
K_W08 The student has the knowledge and understanding of the socio-cultural conditioning relevant for comics.
K_U02 The student can apply basic research skills in the analysis of comics in accordance with the scientific code of ethics and copyright law; these skills include identifying and analysing the problem.
K_U03 The student can recognise, analyse, and interpret various types of American comics; in the socio-cultural context with the use of specialist terminology and adequate methods.
K_U06 The student can prepare a written work with the use adequate methodology.
K_U07 The student can prepare an oral presentation and can present own views.
K_U11 The student can plan and organise their work and take their own initiative.
K_K01 The student is ready to self-evaluate the knowledge and skills critically.
K_K04 The student is ready to respect the professional code of ethics.
Assessment criteria
1. Comics analysis (25 pt)
2. Final essay (45 pt)
3. Feedback to class readings (10)
4. Attendance and active participation (20 pt)
Plagiarism: Any form of plagiarism will result in the failure of the course.
There are two unexcused absences allowed throughout the course.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: