Literature is paradoxical by nature: it attempts to hold a critical mirror up to the very society that produced it and of which it is part, and so it requires skill to uncover what authors want to say, what they do say, and, critically, what they don't say. Comic books are no different. Despite being marginalized by traditional literary circles, comic books feature the same literary techniques and devices as canonized literature and therefore offer an accessible entryway into literary analysis. In this course, you will learn and/or sharpen reading, writing, and analytical skills while reading some of the most lauded comic book titles.

Join me, the X-Men, Spiderman, and Batman among others on an epic literary journey. This course requires weekly engagement but is primarily asynchronous which allows students to work around their school schedule. There is a synchronous meeting that will take place one evening per week that students are expected to attend. Meeting times to be determined at the beginning of the term.