Professor: Brett Chandler Patterson

Office: Faculty Office Building # 9; Phone: 231-2111

Office hours: See my office bulletin board.

E-mail: bpatterson@andersonuniversity.edu

Website: http://www2.ac.edu/faculty/bpatterson

Catalogue Summary: (1 hour credit)

Course Outline/Description: Although the comic book industry has largely maintained a subculture status in the United States, superheroes have been marketed to the average American (and to others worldwide) in many different forms, helping to sell snacks, toys, and clothing. Movies and television have made many superheroes (Spider-Man, Batman, and others) a common topic of conversation, more notably among children, but also among adults. Why do these fantastical creations grab the imaginations of so many people? What values are communicated through these stories? What comprises heroism and villainy? What does the consumption/ appreciation of these fictional worlds tell us about ourselves and what is good and bad about our culture in 21^st century America? What is it about the genre of sequential art or the comic book that lends itself to the communication of these stories? But why has the genre that gave birth to superheroes enjoyed less success than motion pictures? We will meditate on these questions throughout the semester, approaching them from the disciplines of philosophical and theological ethics. Ethics is an academic study of how we live our lives – what rules govern our actions, what goals motivate our choices, and what virtues sustain us through difficult times. Though some might sneer at the possibility of an academic study of such products of popular culture, this course argues that the graphic novel is another artform that can provoke important reflection on social and ethical concerns, when handled by certain authors and artists.

Objectives: After completing this course, students will be able (1) to articulate major themes in philosophical and theological ethics, particularly the concept of “character,” (2) to evaluate the art form of the graphic novel as it has evolved from the 1960s to the present, and (3) to critique the standards of good and evil depicted in the superhero genre.

Assessment/Grading:

(1) Reading/Class Participation. Students will find a list of weekly reading assignments on the course calendar at the end of this syllabus. The calendar identifies the reading that is due on that day – thus students should look and plan ahead. Reading quizzes will be implemented if the instructor notices a lack of student preparation (and I will adjust the assessment percentages accordingly). I prefer interactive discussion to lecture. Please come to class prepared to comment on the reading for the day and to respond to what your professor & fellow students say.

(2) Reading Journal – The reading journal gives you a chance to reflect on your reading before you come to class so that discussion will be more informed. Please use insights gathered from class discussions to guide your future analysis of the reading assignments. I hope that the journals will be an enjoyable opportunity for you to focus your thoughts. At times I may give you particular questions to guide your reflections. Each week’s entry should run from 300 to 400 words. Journals should be typed and should be given to the instructor at the first of class. 65% of final grade

(4) Final Paper – Students will choose a work, in consultation with the professors, and write a paper. The papers give students a chance to pursue their interests. This paper will be 1500-2000 words. 35% of final grade.

(5) Grades will be given on the standard 10-point scale (A 90s, B 80s, C 70s, D 60s, F <60).

Methods of Instruction/Technology Usage/Learning Resources:

(1) The professor prefers discussion, but there will be short lectures along the way. Students are encouraged to ask relevant questions and/or make insightful comments. Students should be prepared for questions open to the entire class and directed toward individuals to help promote discussion.

(2) The professors will provide links to useful web sites on the course web page, which students can find on the above instructor web page. This link can also be found off the main AU web page (www.andersonuniversity.edu) if the students will click on “Faculty” and then scroll down to my name, where they will find the necessary link.

(3) All correspondence between professors and students should be conducted using AU email.

Classroom Protocol:

(1) Attendance Policy: Anderson University standards require that students attend class and arrive punctually. Students who miss roll call are responsible for checking with us after class to have the recorded absence changed to a tardy. Leaving class early will also count as a "tardy." Three tardies will count as one absence. Classes that meet once a week allow only one absence without penalty; then each additional absence (from 2 to 3) will result in fifteen points being removed from the student’s final grade. Students will be held responsible for any material covered during their absences. Those who will miss class because of school-sponsored events (sports, choir, etc.) must give me, during the first two weeks of the term, a schedule of those absences. If you do not submit a schedule, absences will count toward the penalties. The instructor’s job does not include keeping up with your schedule.

(2) Honor Code: Each student must complete written assignments individually (no roving eyes) and draw only from personal study (no cheat sheets or notes written on body parts). Study groups can be helpful, but only if they help foster your own thoughts. On test days, each student should leave all unnecessary materials at the front of the classroom. If we discover that a student is cheating, the grade for that assignment will be zero, and we will report the offense to the Vice President of Student Services. Finally, to prevent plagiarism in writing assignments, students should footnote all sources (including class notes, conversations, & web pages, as well as books and periodicals). Students should read and follow carefully the Academic Honesty/Dishonesty Policy in the Student Handbook.

(3) Disruptive Behavior: We reserve the right to dismiss a student from class who is engaged in any disruptive behavior. This policy includes excessive talking, text messaging, answering a cell-phone call, and putting your head on your desk (whether you are sleeping or not). This is the only warning you will receive. Failure to comply in class will result in the calling of security officers.

(4) Enrolling in this course marks an unwritten contract that you will do your work diligently, approach class assignments and meetings respectfully, and abide by the rules detailed in this syllabus. Grades will certainly reflect how much effort you put into the course.

Texts:

(1) O’Neil, Dennis and Adams, Neal. Green Lantern, Green Arrow (V.2). New York: DC Comics, 2004.

(2) Moeller, Christopher. JLA: A League of One. New York: DC Comics, 2000.

(3) 40 Years of the Avengers. Marvel Comics (GIT Corp), 2006. (DVD-ROM)

(4) Ultimate X-men: Complete Comic Book Collection. Marvel Comics (GIT Corp), 2006. (CD-ROM)

Course Calendar with Reading Assignments:

AUG. 21 – Course Introduction (Justice League, “Fury”)

28 – The Comic Book as a Means of Social Commentary I

O’Neil & Adams, pgs 1-100

SEPT. 4 – The Comic Book as a Means of Social Commentary II

O’Neil & Adams, pgs. 101-191

11 – Xavier vs. Magneto: How Do We Handle Difference?

Ultimate X-men 1-12

18 – Education, Rehabilitation, and Transformation: Joining Xavier’s Dream

X-men 15-20, 26-33

25 – Narrative, Character, and Self-identity

X-men 34-45

OCT. 2 – Avengers in the 1960s

9 – Fall Break (no class)

16 – Avengers in the 1970s

23 – Avengers in the 1980s

30 – Wonder Woman and the Portrait of Women in Comics

JLA: A League of One (in entirety)

NOV. 6 – Avengers in the 1990s, Part I

13 – Avengers in the 1990s, Part II

20 – Avengers in the 2000s, Part I

27 – Avengers in the 2000s, Part II

Final Paper: Due during exam time, TBA in Dec.