PMA 1122

FWS: We Can Be Heroes: Superheroes and their Audiences

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2014-2015 Catalog.

Superheroes are a big deal these days.  In fact, they have been for a very long time.  This course will take a long view of the superhero's presence in popular culture, from early comic culture and radio drama, to camp approaches like the 1960s Batman television show and The Toxic Avenger, to gritty reboots and revisions like Watchmen and The Dark Knight, and finally to today's billion-dollar blockbusters.  We will pay particular attention to the audiences of superhero culture, and the ways in which fans have been encouraged to participate in myth-making - or, have participated despite discouragement.  We will also attempt to expand traditional definitions of the superhero: can we see Harry Potter and Katniss Everdeen as superheroes?  Why or why not?  With an emphasis on in-class discussion and peer editing, this course helps students develop the particular skills required to write about performance while fostering the ability to produce coherent, concise, persuasive prose in the form of critical arguments.

When Offered Fall.

Course Subfield (FWS)

Satisfies Requirement First-Year Writing Seminar.

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