ENGL 6650/7650: Special Topics in Popular Culture

English 6650-7650

Special Topics in Popular Culture:

Superheroes

This is a possible future course, not yet on the schedule.

Dr. David Lavery

Office: PH 372 | Office Hours: TBA | E-mail: david.lavery@gmail.com | Office Phone/Voice-Mail: 615-898-5648 | Home Page: http://davidlavery.net

Dr. David Lavery is Professor of English at MTSU (1993- ). The author of over one hundred published essays, chapters, and reviews, he is author / co-author / editor / co-editor of sixteen books, including Joss: A Creative Portrait of the Maker of the Whedonverses and The Essential Cult Television Reader. The organizer of international conferences on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Sopranos, a founding co-editor of the journals Slayage: The Online International Journal of Buffy Studies and Critical Studies in Television, he has lectured around the world on the subject of television (Australia, Turkey, the UK, Portugal, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany) and has been a guest/source for the BBC, NPR, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, The New York Times, A Folha de Sao Paulo, The Toronto Star. From 2006-2008, he taught at Brunel University in London.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Critical Essay	An essay of not less than 2,000 words on a particular aspect of th superhero.	30%
Major Paper	A source paper of not less than 4,000 words on a subject approved by me.	50%
Class Participation	In addition to involvement in the weekly discussion of readings and screenings, each member of the class will lead the examination of one of the series/shows on the syllabus.	20%

COURSE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Manuscript form All written assignments must be word-processed and must be submitted in digital form, as a Microsoft Word or Rich Text attachment, either as an e-mail sent to david.lavery@gmail.com or via D2L.

Reading Assignments You are responsible for having read the entirety of each assignment and keeping up with the required reading.

Participation & involvement Please come prepared for each day’s class. I encourage you to become an active participant in class discussion and to ask constructive and meaningful questions at all times--even when I appear to be "lecturing."

Plagiarism / Cheating The unacknowledged use of the words/ideas/ insights/ original research of another is, of course, prohibited. Should I catch you plagiarizing, or cheating in any way, you will receive a grade of "0" on the assignment in question, the violation may be reported to University authorities, and you may fail the course.

Students with Disabilities Any student with a disability will be given all the rights and privileges guaranteed under the Americans with Disabilities Act if he/she is registered with Disabled Student Services (call/contact John Harris, KUC 120/2783).

Texts

Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces (Princeton University Press)

Paul Simpson, Helen Rodiss, and Michaela Bushell, The Rough Guide to Superheroes (Rough Guides)

AGENDA

1 | 1/xx | Introduction to the Course | TBA | xxxx

2 | 1/xx | Superman | TBA | xxxx |

3 | 1/xx | Batman | TBA | xxxx |

4 | 2xx | Wonder Woman/Captain America | TBA | xxxx

5 | 2/xx | Spider-Man | TBA | xxxx |

6 | 2/xx | Fantastic Four/Iron Man | TBA | xxxx

7 | 3/xx | The X-Men | TBA | xxxx |

Spring Break (No Class)

8 | 3/xx | The Hulk | TBA | xxxx |

9 | 3/xx | Green Lantern | TBA | xxxx |

10 | 4/xx | Justice League of America | TBA | xxxx |

11 | 4/xx | Hellboy | TBA | xxxx

12 | 4/xx | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | TBA | xxxx

13 | 4/xx | Heroes | TBA | xxxx

14 | 4/xx | Watchmen | TBA | xxxx

15 | 5/1-5/7 | The Big Finish | TBA | xxxx

Manuscript form	All written assignments must be word-processed and must be submitted in digital form, as a Microsoft Word or Rich Text attachment, either as an e-mail sent to david.lavery@gmail.com or via D2L.
Reading Assignments	You are responsible for having read the entirety of each assignment and keeping up with the required reading.
Participation & involvement	Please come prepared for each day’s class. I encourage you to become an active participant in class discussion and to ask constructive and meaningful questions at all times--even when I appear to be "lecturing."
Plagiarism / Cheating	The unacknowledged use of the words/ideas/ insights/ original research of another is, of course, prohibited. Should I catch you plagiarizing, or cheating in any way, you will receive a grade of "0" on the assignment in question, the violation may be reported to University authorities, and you may fail the course.
Students with Disabilities	Any student with a disability will be given all the rights and privileges guaranteed under the Americans with Disabilities Act if he/she is registered with Disabled Student Services (call/contact John Harris, KUC 120/2783).