WGS 310: GENDER THROUGH COMICS
Instructor: Christina Blanch
Email: clblanch@bsu.edu
Cell # (for emergencies)
765-717-0635 (texts fine – make sure to identify yourself)
Class times: Tuesdays/Thursdays 11:00 – 12:15
Location: Burkhardt Building, Room 220
If you need to meet, please email me to schedule a time
and place.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course examines how
comic books can be used to explore questions of gender identity, construction
of gender, gender stereotypes, and gender roles. We will examine the producers
of comic books, the representation of men and women in the comic books, and the
consumption of the comic book culture.
The course goals are to
develop a more critical awareness of the social construction of gender and how
it affects men and women. We also will learn cultural analysis tools that can
be applied to media.
Statement on
objectionable or offensive materials
Some,
indeed many, of the works we will read and discuss in this course use language,
describe events or actions, or take positions which you may find personally
offensive. Authors and characters may think, believe, act, or speak in ways --
especially in the area of sexuality -- that are quite different from you. If
you do not wish to risk being offended, or if you are otherwise concerned, you
may not wish to take this course.
In any
case, if you are concerned about your personal reaction to the course
materials, some of which contain sexually explicit images and/ or slang and
profanity, or the possible evolution of class lectures, please confer with me
during the first week of class. I do not promote the use of offensive language
or call needless attention to offensive works or passages (even those that
deliberately set out to offend "mainstream" American values as part
of their aesthetic intention), but I expect to conduct an open and candid
discussion of the graphic materials and ideas we are studying. Our goal is
intellectual and critical understanding -- not condemnation -- of a unique
American art form.
REQUIRED READINGS
The Walking Dead, Volume One by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore (digital
copy provided)
Batwoman: Elegy by Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams
Strangers in Paradise, Pocket Book One by Terry Moore
Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra
Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross OR Ruse by Mark Waid and Jackson Guice, Mirco Pierfederici and Minck
Oosterveer
Wonder Woman: The Circle by Gail Simone, Terry Dodson, and Bernard
Chang
The readings are
available at online stores such as Amazon, digitally via Comixology or at comic
stores. Alter Ego Comics in Muncie (442 E. McGalliard or (765)282-5297) will
give a 10% discount to this class. I am currently negotiating with Comixology,
an online comic book site, to provide a discount, also. They have already
provided the class with The Walking Dead,
Volume One for free.
Other readings will be
provided by the instructor.
COURSE EVALUATION
Create a comic 25 pts. 25
Reading in public 25 pts. 25
Main assignments 6 @ 50 pts. each 300
Final presentation 50 pts. 50
Final paper 50 pts. 50
450
pts. total
ASSIGNMENTS
Main Assignments
The main assignments
will consist of four parts. I will provide you a sort of rubric to follow for
grading purposes.
Part I: Reading a comic
book. The books will be our assigned readings. When reading, make sure to think
about how men and women are being represented.
Part II: Create a blog
post. You will need to create a tumblr account if you don’t have one and then
join the ‘Gender Through comics’ blog. The blog is http://www.tumblr.com/blog/wgs310
and each student will be sent an invitation that will include the password
(Skyrim). Posts can also be sent by email by sending the post to zbaxooth846@tublr.com. Postings must be
made BEFORE class begins on the due date. They should always be substantial (at
least a couple hundred words) but can take many forms: asking questions, making
connections, and describing reactions. Posts do not need to cite each source formally
but references to the ideas or writings of others must be appropriately
attributed in them. For each post, incorporate the following items in some
manner.
·
In the comic book, a positive aspect of being
female is…
·
In the comic book, a positive aspect of being
male is…
·
In the comic book, a negative aspect of being
female is…
·
In the comic book, a negative aspect of being
male is…
·
In the comic book, females are rewarded for
being…
·
In the comic book, males are rewarded for being…
·
In the comic book, females are disadvantaged
because of…
·
In the comic book, males are disadvantaged
because of…
We will talk about how
to analyze comics, so do not panic. Additionally, you need to respond to a
minimum of two posts written by your colleagues. Responses can be written to
extend the conversation, react to their reactions, or help to answer questions.
These types of activities, I believe, provide the greatest opportunity to use
writing to learn and provide you with an opportunity to reflect, experiment,
and understand more before you write your final paper. Using the blog will keep
us engaged as learners and forces us to keep the information relevant. And,
tumblr is pretty simple – easy for those not media savvy.
Part III: After
reflecting on the material we will discuss the material as a group and come up
with questions to ask our guest speakers. The students will then take part in
the interview and attempt to ask at least one question.
Part IV: Using the
knowledge from the previous parts, you will construct a short 3 – 5 page paper
(Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, 1 inch margins, double spaced) that presents
your final ideas regarding gender in these certain contexts.
There will be six (6)
of these due. Due dates are listed on the schedule.
Mini Comic
You will create
(instructions given in class) a mini comic about a true biographical event in
your life or somebody else’s revolving around gender. It will consist of 8 panels, two of which
cannot contain words. This will not be graded on the art itself so for you
non-artists (like me!), no worries.
Reading in Public
After we talk about
consumption of comics and gender, you will read a comic in an obvious manner in
a public place. Instead of reading the comic, you will actually be observing
others reactions to this. Note people’s reactions and if they do begin a
conversation about it, please try to make some notes. More information will
follow regarding this assignment.
Final Presentation/Paper
The final will consist
of a presentation (10-15 minutes) that analyzes one comic book series or
graphic novel of your choice. There will be many books provided that you can
borrow but the choices are not limited to those. You must receive approval
before choosing your book as no two students may choose the same book. You are
to put together a presentation consisting of a summary of the story and any
relevant social context, two ways in which ideas in this course can be applied
to the comic book, and then pick out a single frame or page that emphasizes one
of those ideas. In addition to the presentation, a final 3 – 5 page paper
(Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, 1 inch margins, double spaced ) paper is due. This
is be discussed in length and a rubric will be given.
EXPECTATIONS:
ATTENDANCE. As each day
of this class is filled with important information and especially at times
interviews that cannot be reenacted, attendance is very important. I expect
that you attend class. I do understand that your lives are made up of more of
just school and specifically this class, but for 16 weeks, giving a few hours
of your week which you are paying for, is not a lot to ask. With the exceptions
of field trips, funeral/bereavement policies, and sick days provided by
doctor’s note, you will be given two “freebies” for lack of a better word. You
can miss two (2) classes without being penalized. If you are absent more than
two times for reasons not covered in Ball State policy, your final grade will
be deducted a + or – for each absence. If your need to be absent more than the
allowed amount, please contact me so that we can discuss it. Plus, this class
is going to be FUN! Why would you want to miss it?!?
ASSIGNMENTS. I expect
you to read the assignment material before class. In order to have a class
discussion about the material, you need to have read the information.
Additionally, many people are giving them time to us. Please be respectful and
read their work before the interview and have good questions for them.
Late assignments will
be accepted up to one week late. They will be docked one letter grade. After a
week, they will not be accepted. In other words, please turn work in on time.
I also expect you to
put your best efforts forth for each assignment. I am aware you have other
classes and have taken that into consideration. In order to learn, work must
challenge you. I hope that these assignments challenge you. Also, I always
expect your work to be your own. Plagiarism in any form can lead to failing the
assignment or the entire course. Plagiarism
is bad.
COMMUNICATION. I expect
you to communicate with me and not be passive. I expect you to ask questions
about the assignments if they are not clear. I expect you to communicate in our
classroom conversations. I also expect you to be rationale and listen to others
ideas and open your minds to new ways of thinking.
CELL PHONES AND
COMPUTERS. Please turn cell phones to
silent during class and refrain from texting, tweeting, etc. I understand this
urge to check your phones, trust me, but the class is only an hour and fifteen
minutes. Also, computers/iPads/etc. are totally welcome, but again, refrain
from using social media during class.
FUN. I expect you to
have some fun while learning. I love teaching and I love this subject. I
promise to use everything I have learned as a teacher, a student, a scholar,
and a writer to shape what we do in this course. I am teaching this class
because I care about the content and I care about teaching. Fun does not mean
there is no hard work. But, the hard work will be worth it in the end. I hope
that the things you learn in this class will be carried with you throughout
your lives.
GRADING SCALE
Grade
|
Percent
|
A
|
100% - 95%
|
A-
|
94% - 92%
|
B+
|
91% - 88%
|
B
|
87% - 85%
|
B-
|
84% - 82%
|
C+
|
81% - 78%
|
C
|
77% - 75%
|
C-
|
74% - 72%
|
D+
|
71% - 68%
|
D
|
67% - 66%
|
D-
|
65% – 60%
|
F
|
59% and below
|
SCHEDULE FOR WGS 310
T Aug 21
Introduction; Syllabus;
Begin Film: Comic Book Confidential
Assigned Reading: http://dcwomenkickingass.tumblr.com/post/29845423305/wrcip3an
and Syllabus – come Thursday armed with questions
R Aug 23
Film: Comic Book
Confidential
Assigned Reading: http://www.powerofcomics.com/graphicnovel.html
and http://www.thecomicbooks.com/old/Platinum.html
T Aug 28
Discussion: Comic Book Confidential
Topic: Brief history of
Comic Books
Assigned Reading: http://www.ted.com/talks/scott_mccloud_on_comics.html
(Not really a reading, but…)
R Aug 30
Topic: How to read
comics
Activity: Make comic
T Sept 4
Topic: Gender Theories
and stuff
Activity: Analyzing a
comic book (in class)
DUE: Comic
R Sept 6
Topic: Who is producing
the comic book culture – 1940s through the 1970s
Assigned reading:
several Mort Weisinger comics
T Sept 11
Special Topic: Mort
Weisinger
Topic: Who is producing
the comic book culture – 1980s to present
Assigned readings:
Read: Catwoman #1 OR Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 (provided) and http://www.bendbulletin.com/article/20120724/NEWS0107/207240331/ and
R Sept 13
Topic: Who is producing
the comic book culture – 1980s to present
Assigned reading: Strangers in Paradise, Volume 1
T Sept 18
Discussion: Strangers
in Paradise
Assigned reading: Terry
Moore Interview (pdf provided)
Due: Blog post re: Strangers in Paradise
R Sept 20
Interview: Terry Moore
Assigned reading:
Batwoman: Elegy and http://io9.com/5912366/why-i-write-strong-female-characters
T Sept 25
Discussion: Batwoman:
Elegy
Assigned reading: Greg
Rucka: On Comics and Novels (pdf provided) and look at http://www.ineffableaether.com/
DUE: Strangers in Paradise assignment
Due: Blog post re: Batwoman: Elegy
R Sept 27
Interview: Greg Rucka
Assigned reading: Y:
The Last Man, Volume 1 and http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=1488
T Oct 2
Discussion: Y: The Last
Man
Assigned reading: http://comicbooks.about.com/od/interviews/a/bkvinterview.htm
and http://www.avclub.com/articles/saga-and-y-the-last-man-writer-brian-k-vaughan-tal,72230/
DUE: Batwoman: Elegy assignment
Due: Blog post re: Y: The Last Man
R Oct 4
Interview: Brian K.
Vaughan
Assigned reading:
Kingdom Come or Ruse
T Oct 9
Guest speaker: Mark
Waid
Assigned reading: The
Walking Dead, Volume 1
Due: Blog post re: Kingdom Come or Ruse
R Oct 11
Film: The Walking Dead
television show, Season 1, Episode 1
DUE: Kingdom Come or Ruse assignment
T Oct 16
Interview: Scott Gimple
Assigned reading: http://www.motherjones.com/media/2007/07/supergirls-gone-wild-gender-bias-comics-shortchanges-superwomen
and http://www.themarysue.com/newspaper-spider-man-comic-tries-misogynistic-plot-for-the-umpteenth-time/
Due: Blog post re: The Walking Dead
R Oct 18
Topic: Representing
Women and Men in Comic Books
Assigned reading: Wonder
Woman: The Circle, Batman (PDF provided) and http://www.unheardtaunts.com/wir/index.html
DUE: The Walking Dead assignment
T Oct 23
NO CLASS – FALL BREAK
R Oct 25
Will not meet in class
– see assignment
Assignment: Read comic
(your choice but must be approved) in public
Read: Wonder Woman #7 (provided) and http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2012/03/26/she-has-no-head-is-the-destruction-of-the-amazons-the-destruction-of-feminism-in-dc-comics/
Due: Blog post re: Wonder Woman: The Circle and Batman
T Oct 30
Interview: Gail Simone
R Nov 1
Interview: Scott Snyder
Assigned readings: The
Comic Book Readers (pdf provided) and http://comicbooks.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=comicbooks&cdn=hobbies&tm=13&f=00&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&st=10&zu=http%3A//girl-wonder.org/
T Nov 6
Topic: Consuming Comics
DUE: Wonder Woman and Batman assignment
Read:
www.alteregocomics.net/aboutus.php
R Nov 8
Guest Speaker: Jason
Pierce
T Nov 13
Guest Speakers: Evan
Dossey and Shannon Outlaw
Film: “A Fan’s Hope:
Episode IV”
R Nov 15
Film: Finish “A Fan’s
Hope: Episode IV”
T Nov 20
Discussion: “A Fan’s
Hope: Episode IV”
Topic: Presentations
and Final Projects
R Nov 22
NO CLASS – HAPPY TURKEY
OR TURKEY SUBSITUTE DAY
T Nov 27
Presentations
R Nov 29
No class – Day for prep
time for final project
T Dec 4
Presentations
R Dec 6
Presentations
T Dec 11
FINAL EXAM 9:45 to
11:45
Any final presentations
will be given at this time.
DUE: Final paper
Reading suggestions
that can be used for the final project/paper:
Queen and Country
Fun Home
Persepolis
Echo
Stuck Rubber Baby
Rachel Rising, V. 1
Sandman: Brief Lives
Pedro and Me
Paying for It
Hababi
Empowered
Little Lulu
Empire
**There are many more
to choose from and the choices are not confined to this list. Please get
approval before starting the final project.
THE LEARNING
CENTER:
The Learning Center offers free tutoring for many courses in
the University Core Curriculum, for a variety of math, economics, accounting,
and physics courses, for any writing task, and for
general study strategies such as time management, test taking, speed reading, and effective textbook reading and note taking. We also tutor for many courses outside of the University Core Curriculum. Call 765-285-1006 or visit NQ 350 to make an appointment to meet with a
tutor. We can help! Open Monday-Thursday, 9am-8pm; Friday, 9am-12pm.
general study strategies such as time management, test taking, speed reading, and effective textbook reading and note taking. We also tutor for many courses outside of the University Core Curriculum. Call 765-285-1006 or visit NQ 350 to make an appointment to meet with a
tutor. We can help! Open Monday-Thursday, 9am-8pm; Friday, 9am-12pm.
DISABILITY STATEMENT:
If
you need adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have
emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special
arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment
with me as soon as possible.
***NOTE: This syllabus is
not final and is subject to change. Any changes will be given by the instructor
with ample warning. ***
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