De Smet Jesuit High School English IV: Comics and Their Films 21254 Robert Benjamin Bergman Phone: (314) 567-3500 ext. 411 e-mail: [email protected] (My email is up from 7:50 am until 6:00pm.) Homeroom: 217 Activity Period: 217 Meeting Times: 7:40-7:55 am, 2:50-3:15 Course Description: Comic Books started a world-wide phenomenon from their early inception as “Funny Pages” to the more modern Graphic Novel. They have been vilified, suppressed, banned, and raised to an art form. The class will attempt to define the nature of the comic book and why they receive such positivity in today’s world as opposed to the history of their banishment as “real” literature and how they have been adapted into some of the top grossing films of all time. An analysis of the “types” of comic superheroes will begin the class that will culminate in the discussion of the cultural impact of the comic. – From Ink to Screen Approach to the Material: Literature is not only the study of books. It is a study of the human condition at that point in history and how it translates to the modern reader. It is a way to look at the creative past to see our self through the ideas and visions of others and their perspectives of who they were and who we are. How do you define "Human Condition?" Social Systems Philosophical Systems Technological Systems Ecological Systems Political Systems Psychological Systems Economic Systems Artistic Systems This is also how you define a Literary Period. A body of literature that reflects these systems helps identify the period. You cannot separate the literature from the time period. It is a paradox of Example and Definition and how they are interrelated. Education is making connections. Identify why one thing is related to another -- the interrelationship of all things and its effect on all other things. Understanding Science helps in understanding Literature. Understanding Literature helps in understanding Theology. Understanding Theology helps in understanding Philosophy. Understanding Philosophy helps in understanding History. Understanding History helps in understanding Science. Etc. Etc. English Class is Ignatian . Jesuit education is a vision which is "Ignatian." The vision certainly, encompasses the entire high school community, and it recognizes that individuals have positive contributions to make to the community. Ignatian education allows students to pursue intellectual development to the fullest measure of their God-given talents. Ignatian education allows for the full growth of students which leads to action. At DeSmet, students learn that talents are gifts to be developed with the help of God, for the good of the human community. Ignatian education is the opportunity for students to explore human values critically and to test their own values experimentally. Ignatian education is the preparation for life. Ignatian education is love shown in deeds. At Jesuit schools, students learn, in light of competition, to distinguish themselves by their abilities to work together, to be sensitive to one another, to be committed to the service of others. Students who graduate from Jesuit high schools receive guidance and ongoing formation, we have a commitment to our former students. Our prime educational objective is to form Men-For-Others, men who cannot even conceive of love of God which does not include love for the least of their neighbors. We work toward the ideal of the well-rounded Spartan who is intellectually competent, open to growth, religious, loving, and committed to doing justice in generous service to the people of God. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course students will: analyze the impact of popular culture discuss alternative literature discuss alternative art apply archetypal criticism to literary sources discuss social issues/problems addressed in artistic mediums Course Calendar: subject to change – a more detailed schedule will be available, and updated throughout the course of the semester. First Quarter Second Quarter .Intro Cowboy Alien Behemoth Vigilante God Police Patriot Amazon/Princess Justice Innocent Rogue Final Synthesis Project Assessment types: Completion of assigned readings. Quizzes and Tests. Several short response papers based on films with reference to readings. Essays. One long project and presentation. Learning Materials: Textbooks, Resources, and Films: All Texts will be supplied by the instructor. A CD or thumbdrive will be required for the course. Having a Netflix account would be beneficial. From Ink to Screen: A Study of Comics and their Films. Provided by instructor Selections from the following: The Ten-Scent Plague: The Great Comic-Book Scare and How it Changed America by David Hajdu Film and Comic Books by Ian Gordon Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud Comic Book Nation: The Transformation of Youth Culture in America by Bradford W. Wright Our Gods Wear Spandex: The Secret History of Comic Book Heroes by Chris Knowles and Joseph Michael Linsner Comic Book Nation: the Transformation of Youth Culture in America by Bradford W Wright The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture by Randy Duncan Supergods: What Masked Vigilantes, Miraculous Mutants, and a Sun God From Smallville can teach us about being human by Grant Morrison Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters, and the Birth of the Comic Book by Gerard Jones The Supergirls:Fashion, Feminism, Fantasy, and the history of the Comic Book Heroine by Mike Madrid Super Heroes: A Modern Mythology by Richard Reynolds Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud A Comics Studies Reader by Jeet Heer Superheroes: Capes and Crusaders in Comics and Film by Roz Kaveney Holy Superheroes: Exploring Faith and Spirituality in Comic Books by Greg Garrett The Government Manual for New Superheroes by Matthew David Brozik Disguised as Clark Kent: Jews, Comics, and the Creation of the Superhero by Danny Fingeroth Superhero: The Secret Origin of a Genre by Peter Coogan Other Readings: Will be supplied from the class website ( http://resources.desmet.org/bergman/index.htm) or Moodle. Supplies: Blue or black pens (please reserve all other colors for the teacher) Notebook or Binder for handouts Electronic handouts will be found on Moodle Course Calendar: (a more comprehensive/specified calendar will be provided on Moodle) Timeframe Outcomes Content Assessment Materials Students will understand Students will be introduced the following: to the following: Unit 1 - why comics are - archetypes. Reflection Background Background controversial. - the universes of Marvel Essays Documentaries: - why comics were used and DC. Journal -The History Definitions by the powers that be to - the background on Presentation Channel: A History Controversial criticize adults and some of the main of Comics Art children. characters. -Starz: A History of Satire - the seriousness of - how comics are Comics Seriousness public consciousness. defined. Background Books: - the seriousness of -Seduction of the public outcry. Innocent by Fredric Wertham -Comic Books and Juvenile Delinquency Books: -Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud -Comics 101 by Scott Tipton Unit 2 - the concept of what it - the creation of the first Reflection Superman Films: Alien means to truly be superhero. Essays Superman: The Superman “alien.” - the importance of Journal Movie - 1978, dir. - learn how to create a Jewish immigrants to the Presentation Richard Donner story arc. culture of comic books. Superman II - - discuss how stories - the importance of 1981, The Richard work for a culture. Superman to the Donner Cut American culture Superman: Doomsday – 2007, dir. Lauren Montgomery Superman Returns – 2006, dir. Bryan Singer Look Up on the Sky: A History of Superman Superman Books: Action Comics 1 Superman Chronicles Unit 3 - the humanity of a - the controversy of the Reflection Batman Films Vigilante superhero. sidekick. Essays Batman – 1989, Batman - the reality of superhero - the controversy of Journal dir. Tim Burton comics. going against social Presentation Batman Begins – - the concept of insanity. norms. 2005, dir. - the dual nature of - the idea of taboo. Christopher Nolan humanity. - the problem of the Batman: Year One superhero. – 2011, Sam Liu, Lauren Montgomery Batman Books: Batman Chronicles Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Batman: A Death in the Family Unit 4 - why comics have been - universal justice. Reflection Green Lantern Police used to get to a younger - the use of popular Essays Films: Green Lantern audience. culture to address Journal Green Lantern: - why comics can be a societal problems, such Presentation First Flight – 2009, driving force for change. as racism, ecology, and dir. Lauren - why there is a need for drug abuse. Montgomery more positive minority - how public servants Green Lantern: superheroes. should serve the public Emerald Knights – and not their own self- 2011, dir. Chris interests. Berkeley, Lauren Montgomery Green Lantern – 2011, dir. Martin Gampbell GL Books: Green Lantern Chronicle; GL/Green Arrow Collection 2. Unit 5 - why there are so few - to the taboo. Reflection Wonder Woman Amazon/Princess female superheroes. - how writers and artists Essays Films: Wonder Woman - how feminism is still a can promote their own Journal Wonder Woman – powerful movement. agendas. Presentation 2009, dir. Lauren - how superheroes and Montgomery change with the times Wonder Woman and adapt for generations Books: Wonder Woman: Best Stories Unit 6 - the archetype of the - the concept of Reflection Spiderman Films: Innocent innocent/fool. “everyman.” Essays Spiderman I – Spider-man - the idea that ignorance - how Spider-man is the Journal 2002, dir. Sam is not bliss. concept of teenager. Presentation Raimi - that with “great power Spiderman II – comes great 2004, dir. Sam responsibility.” Raimi - the importance of Spiderman III – “9/11.” 2007, dir. Sam Raimi Spiderman Books: The Amazing Spiderman Marvel Masterworks, Vol. 1 Spiderman vs. Wolverine The Amazing Spiderman Annual 21 Unit 7 - the idea of what a - the concept of Reflection Iron Man Films: Cowboy “cowboy” is and the “manifest destiny.” Essays Iron Man I – 2008, Iron Man importance of the - the difference between Journal dir.