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　 　　English for International Communication III-10
　　History and Cultural Significance of Comics in America
JOE GELUSO　
 4単位　
3〜4　
前期　
10001110

Course Aim:
Much of American culture is reflected in its media and art. This includes music, television, literature, film, and comics, as well. This course aims to investigate prevalent attitudes and themes in American history and culture from the late 1930s to the present day by examining the comic books of the times. Major themes that will be studied through the lens of American comics are: The Great Depression, The New Deal, World War II, The Cold War and Vietnam, individualism, and the questioning of American objectives in a global community. Students will take part in weekly readings and discussions, reading discussion quizzes, creation of vocabulary glossaries and bi-weekly vocabulary tests, one mid-term reflective essay, and one final project. Through class activities students will have the opportunity to practice and improve their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, all the while systematically building their English vocabulary.

評価方法： Attendance/participation: 30%
Vocabulary tests (4): 10%
Reading Discussion Quizzes (2): 20%
Midterm Essay: 20%
Final Presentation: 20%

In line with IC department policy, 6 unexcused absences will result in automatic failure of the course.

テキスト名： A reading packet will be provided in class by the instructor.

授業計画――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――
１． Week 1: Introduction to comics: Defining a comic, examining the different eras and themes to be covered in course, overview of the history of American comics.
２． Week 2: Superheroes for the common man: Workers’ rights, the Great Depression, the New Deal, and Superman in the late 30s/early 40s.
３． Week 3: Same as above. (Vocabulary quiz 1)
４． Week 4: Comic books go to war: World War II and Captain America. (Reading Discussion Quiz 1)
５． Week 5: Same as above. (Vocabulary quiz 2)
６． Week 6: Postwar liberalism: With the Great Depression a distant memory and WWII seeing America as victorious, superheroes have no one left to fight; their popularity falls. (Midterm paper)
７． Week 7: The Cold War: Communal responsibility vs. individualism
８． Week 8: American militaristic power personified in Iron Man/Implications of nuclear weapons; the birth of the Hulk. (Vocabulary quiz 3)
９． Week 9: Spiderman, insecurities and all: A hero everyone can identify with. (Reading Discussion Quiz 2)
10． Week 10: The Civil Rights Act of 1964, comics comment on race. Hulk, X-men and Silver Surfer as metaphors for minorities.
11． Week 11: Comics question authority: Once law-abiding citizens, heroes such as Iron Man, symbol of American militaristic might, and Captain America question the motives of America. (Vocabulary Quiz 4)
12． Week 12: Comics get “real" in the 80s: the darker vigilante emerges. Watchmen, Batman: Year One.
13． Week 13: Projects
14． Week 14: Final Presentations