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English 481: Special Topic — The Literature of Comic Books, Graphic Novels, and Superheroes — Continuity (A.K.A. Course Schedule)

Course Schedule

Issue #1: Super Powers
(Weeks 1-4)

Week 1
Jan. 18

  • Course Introduction

Week 2
Jan. 23

  • Discuss survey
  • Super Powers radio program

Jan. 25

  • Greatest Super Hero Debate

Week 3
Jan. 30

  • Create Home Pages
  • Xavier Institute Applications
  • X-men “Gifted” Graphic Novel – Issues 1-2

Feb. 1

  • X-men “Gifted” Graphic Novel – Issues 3-4
  • Discuss heroism

Week 4
Feb. 6

  • Xavier Institute Application Reviews

Issue #2: The Comic Book Industry

Feb. 8

  • The Rhetoric of Comic Books
  • Guest Speaker: Brian Burke

Issue #3: Fandom

Week 5
Feb. 13

  • Paper Proposal Review
  • Start Superhero Blog
  • X-Men “Gifted” Graphic Novel – Issues 4-6

Feb. 15: No Class

Feb. 16 (Friday @ 7:00 p.m.) Ghost Rider Movie

Issue #4: Comic Book Origins

Week 6
Feb. 20

  • Discuss Ghost Rider
  • Discuss Superhero Origins
  • Superhero Blog Work

Feb. 22

  • Post Superhero Origins
  • Discuss Group Presentations
  • Discuss Hero Film (vote on Tue.)
  • Write origin story

Issue #5: Secret Identities & The Hero Code

Week 7
Feb. 27

  • Identity Crisis – Issues 1-3
  • Discuss Secret Identities

Mar. 1

  • Identity Crisis – Issues 4-7
  • Discuss The Superhero Code
  • Guest Speaker: Brian Burke

Issue #6: Superhero Films

Week 8
Mar. 6

  • Hero Film – Sin City Part 1
  • Discussion of film

Mar. 8

  • Hero Film – Sin City Part 2
  • Discussion of film

Week 9: Spring Break (March 12-18)

Issue #7: Science and Psychology

Week 10

  • Super Science I
  • Science Quiz
  • Work on Group Presentation

Week 11

  • Super Science II
  • An Inconvenient Truth
  • Global Warming Stories
  • Work on Group Presentation

Week 12

  • Super Psychology Book – First Half
  • Apr. 5 Paper Draft due
  • Review paper drafts
  • Work on Group Presentation Handout

Week 13: AERA Conference

  • No Class

Issue #8: Alternative Comics

Week 14

  • Guest Lecture: Lee Hobbs
  • Maus
  • Group 1 Presentation
  • Group 2 Presentation

Week 15

  • Guest Artist: Wayne Faucher
  • Watchmen 1
  • Group 3 Presentation
  • Group 4 Presentation

Week 16: Final Meetings

  • May 1: Final Regular Class Day (Tuesday)
    • Watchmen
    • Group 5 Presentation
  • May 3: Final Exam Meeting (Tuesday, 2:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.)
    • Final Class Evaluation
    • Business Luncheon
    • Group 6 Presentation
    • Group 7 Presentation
    • Group 8 Presentation
    • Group 9 Presentation
  • May 5: Free Comic Book Day!!!!