Grade Distribution: Active Participation (5%) 2

1 SUPERHERO ORIGINS DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LITERATURES AND LINGUISTICS SEMESTER ALEPH – OCTOBER JANUARY 2019 COURSE NUMBER - 2 ST - AND 3ND YEAR ELECTIVE, 2 POINTS THURSDAY 8-10AM -BUILDING , ROOM DR. ORIT RABKIN [email protected] OFFICE: -- OFFICE HOURS TO BE ANNOUNCED POLICY STATEMENT AND SYLLABUS Superhero Origins: Comic books began as adolescent entertainment. A host of comic books, nevertheless, developed into highly regarded graphic novels. In the last two decades, superhero movies, based on Marvel and DC epic characters, have exploded in popularity. The aim of this course is to explore the genre. We will begin by asking if comic books can be considered literary productions which can, in turn, be analyzed using literary theoretical frameworks. In addition, we will look at the type of storytelling traditions which inspired comic books’ specific type of epic, heroic plot lines (such as Robin Hood). Next, we will interrogate comic moral conventions such as vigilantism, and good versus evil. Finally, we will look at how later comics incorporated plot-lines and developed characters which challenged such concepts as race, heterosexuality, and more. The course will begin with Superman and Batman and move through the different comic eras, (again, both Marvel and DC). We will be looking at such texts as Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight (1986)r and Alan Moore’s The Watchmen (1987) along side the classics (Justice League, X-Men) and more. key words: good and evil hero/superheroes morality graphic novels Grade Distribution: active participation (5%) 2 4 short written responses (1-2 pages, 35%) Presentation (15%) final paper (3-4 pages, 45%) Requirements Attendance: Attendance is mandatory; you may not be able to complete this course with more than two unjustified absences. Literature classes rely on in-class lecture and discussion. It is difficult to make up material if you are not present. Reading and participation: For each class, you will read short reading assignments (up to twenty pages). Read each text prior to the meeting and participate in discussions. Come to each class with the text - having the text in front of you is part of participation. Because we are dealing with materials that are harder to acquire in Israel, we will rely on on PDF’s and on digital books. These are easy to download. You can download them onto a tablet, a laptop, or a home computer. If you have any difficulties, talk to me. Late papers will not be accepted. If you have special circumstances, speak to me BEFORE you are late with the paper and not AFTER. Furthermore, I keep the right to not grade papers that are shorter than the announced minimum length. Attendance Policy Since all writing will be based largely on readings and class discussion, it will be hard to make up a missed class. If you do feel you have a good reason for missing class, come speak to me. If you have been ill, provide a doctor’s note. ● Remember to email your note within a week of your absence or I will not accept it and your absence will not be excused. ● If you know you are going to miss class ahead of time, talk to me. Maybe I can excuse it. Tardiness: Please do your best not to be late to class. If there are special circumstances that will result in constant tardiness, talk to me beforehand so we can clear it up. Otherwise, constant tardiness will equal an absence (each 4 late arrivals will equal one absence.) Required Text: Texts will be available as online PDF’s on our Moodle website and digitally. We should also have a few copies available at the Zomet Sefarim. Literary Reading (mainly excerpts): 3 ● Articles announced at the beginning of the semester. ● COMIC: Avengers: Heroes Welcome #1 (2013) Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Brooks (available digitally on Kindle) ● COMIC: Dark Knight Returns (1986) Frank Miller and illustrated by Miller and Klaus Janson (book store and available digitally on Kindle) ● COMIC: Watchmen (1986) Alan Moore and Dave Gibbo (PDF) ● A few more to be announced at beginning of semester In class we will watch scenes from movies and from tv .

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