From movie theaters to video games, television adaptations, t-shirts, lunchboxes, and almost every form of advertising or media merchandise that exists, superheroes are a constant presence in popular culture. It is through this genre that we understand when someone refers to something as their "personal kryptonite" or that they are "team captain America". However, we often ignore the political and philosophical content that is deeply-rooted within this popular genre. Much like other forms of media, the superhero narrative provides an understanding of the political and cultural values that have shaped it. This course will explore the genre of popular superhero media from a critical perspective, allowing students to develop techniques and skills to analyze the impact of superheroes on cultural, political, and personal values. Prerequisite: ENG 112 or WRI 118. This course fulfills the Cultural and Global Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.
COM-345: Superheroes in Media
Program