Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Gender Through Comics Syllabus



WGS 310: GENDER THROUGH COMICS
 

Instructor: Christina Blanch
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

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

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
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
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
Due: Blog post re: Wonder Woman: The Circle and Batman

T Oct 30        
Interview: Gail Simone

R Nov 1         
Interview: Scott Snyder

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.

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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