English 108A: The Instructor: J. Andrew Deman – [email protected] Time: T, Th 10:00-11:30 Room: HH139 Office: SH 2107 Office Hours: T, Th 11:30-12:50

Course Description:

An examination of hero figures, ranging broadly from ancient characters such as Gilgamesh to the modern superhero. Literary as well as non- literary materials (e.g., film, comics, games) will be considered. The objective of this course is to track our cultural fascination with superheroes throughout the past century and place it within a broader literary context of the hero figure in general. Why are we drawn to the superhero? What cultural values are reflected through the superhero? What does the superhero say about us and our society in contrast to earlier societies? How does the superhero compare to older mythologies? Additionally, the course will seek to cultivate active reading and analytical skills alongside essay-writing ability.

Required Texts: The Epic of Gilgamesh – Author Unknown (available through course website). Superman: Birthright – Mark Waid et al. Ms Marvel Vol. 1: No Normal – Wilson et al. X-men: X-Tinction Agenda – Claremont et al. The Dark Knight Returns – Frank Miller et al. Watchmen – Moore & Gibbons The Maxx Vol. 1 – et al. Understanding Comics – Scott McCloud

Assignments: Final Essay This paper will be the culmination of the student’s work in the course. It will be a comparison of two or more classroom texts with regard to an 35%35% issue of relevance to in-class discussions. All topics must be approved by me prior to writing. Students will receive a detailed description of this assignment along with pre-approved essay topics well in advance of the due date. Minimum length of this essay is 6 pages.

Fanfare Assignment This assignment will require students to comprise a “fanfare” style 10%10% character synopsis sheet that outlines the symbolic and literary thematic attributes of a particular superhero.

Quizzes A series of straightforward reading quizzes designed to test your ability to keep up with our reading schedule and your retention of pivotal 15%15% information from the texts.

Group Discussions 3 Times throughout the term (indicated on schedule) I will divide you into 10%10% groups, and provide you with a discussion question. Your task is to then facilitate an involved and productive discussion, resulting in a single written response for each group. Every group member will receive the same mark for this report.

Final Test: Straightforward questions that will address your understanding of both 30%30% the readings, and of various concepts and perspectives discussed in class.

Note: All written work submitted late will be subject to a penalty of 10 marks (out of 100) per day, including weekends. Spring 2018 May May 24 May 17 May 15 May 10 May 8 May 3 May 1 DATE Jul24 Jul19 Jul17 Jul12 Jul10 Jul5 Jul3 28Jun 26Jun 21Jun 19Jun 14Jun 12Jun 7 Jun 5 Jun May 31 May 29 and Grievances (other than regarding a petition) or Policy 71—Student Discipline if a ground for an appeal can be can be an appeal for ground a if Discipline Policy 71—Student or a petition) than(other regarding Grievances and Appeals: processes. grievance Arts' the Faculty for of http://arts.uwaterloo.ca/student-grievances-faculty-arts-processes consult addition, in 4; Section Read Petitions —Student Policy Grievances, 70 and grievance. a initiating for grounds have may unreasonable or Grievance: http://uwaterloo.ca/secretariat/policies-procedures-guidelines/policy-71. Discipline, Policy 71—Student under imposed be will penalties occurred, disciplinary haveto been has found When Dean. misconduct Associate the or Undergraduate advisor, academic professor, from the course guidance seek should work/collaboration “rules” about or group cheating), for plagiarism, (e.g., offenses to how avoid in learning help needs who or an constitutes unsure offense, is A student whether an who action actions. his/her for take responsibility toand offenses, academic committing avoid to integrity, academic constitutes what know to expected student is Waterloo responsibility.of respect, and tofairness, trust, honesty, promote are A University expected Discipline: the of members integrity, cultureacademic toof a maintain In order outlines: course on all included be offenses Integrity: Academic to alteration) (subject Schedule beginning of each academic term. each academic of beginning atthe the AS with register please disability, your of theto impact lessen accommodations require academic you If the of curriculum. integrity the academic without compromising disabilities with students for accommodations appropriate arrange to departments academic all with Room collaborates Hall, in 1132, Needles located Office, Disabilities: with for Students Accommodation (uWaterloo): Office http://uwaterloo.ca/academic-integrity/ Integrity Academic http://uwaterloo.ca/secretariat/arts/ugrad/academic_responsibility.html (Arts): website Integrity Academic guidelines//policy72. http://uwaterloo.ca/secretariat/policies-procedures- Appeals: Read Policy established. 72—Student A student may app eal the finding and/or penalty in a decision made under Policy 70—Student Petitions Policy under 70—Student made a decision in penalty and/or theeal finding student app may A A student who believes that a decision affecting some aspect of his/her university life has been unfair hasunfair been life university his/her of some aspect affecting that a decision believes student who A READING None None Black Panther(Film) McCloud Ch 7-8 Wilson; Wilson Kieth;McCloud Ch 6 Kieth Claremont;McCloud Ch5 Claremont Moore Moore; McCloud Ch4 Moore Miller;McCloud Ch3 Miller Superman;McCloud Ch1-2 Superman Gilgamesh Gilgamesh None None The Faculty of Arts requires that the following note regarding avoidance of academic academic of avoidance The Facultynote regarding requiresthat the following Arts of IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENT & Free-Will Agency LogicalExtremes AllegoricalHeroes Masculinity-Vigilante-Toxicity BatmanDeconstructed IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENT Sex, Geeks, Power The Superhero Establishingan Archetype The Epic Hero The SuperheroCulture inWestern Introduction –Syllabus Overview TOPIC IN-CLASS TEST Transmediationto Everything Else Transmediationto Film Other The Comics Canon Counterculturevs IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENT ESSAY-WRITING WORKSHOP The Super-Psyche The Anti-Hero Continuity,Complexity andCrossover GroupDynamics Note for Students with Disabilities: The AccessAbility (AS) (AS) The AccessAbility Disabilities: with Students Note for

GD2 Fanfare GD1 ASSIGNMENT FINAL TEST GD3