First-Year Seminar: Superhero Media

This course will examine the superhero as American myth and media industry commodity. We will consider historical, cultural, and industrial aspects of the superhero genre across comic books, films, television series, and video games. Focusing on multiple media allows us to examine an array of medium-specific and cross-media issues (e.g., how criticism of superhero films as "not cinema" reflects a legacy of comics being perceived as juvenile). Our study will encompass a number of critical frameworks, including myth, adaptation, gender, race, and transmedia storytelling. Each course unit will focus on how different media have presented one or more superhero franchises (e.g., Superman, Batman, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Watchmen). Required screenings: Wednesdays @ 4pm. Enrollment limited to first-year students.
Course Attributes: EN H; FYS; BU BA; AS HUM; FA HUM; AR HUM

First-Year Seminar: Superhero Media

FILM AND MEDIA STUDIES 114

Section 01

Section A