Blogging for 495SH (Spring 2015)
One of the major assignments in 495SH is to create and maintain, throughout the semester, a blog dedicated to the superhero genre and its study. This blog should be up online, accessible, and readable by the second week of class, and working smoothly, without technical glitches, by Feb. 1. It should be continuously updated until at least Wednesday, May 6 (and please keep it up online and accessible until at least May 23 for grading purposes).
Your blog will be one of the primary ways in which you can communicate and share ideas with your classmates in 495SH, and may also be viewed and commented on by other superhero scholars and fans from anywhere around the world. I’ll be linking it to this blog, here, as well as to our class’s Moodle site. I envision your blog as a means by which you can absorb your reading, explore and refine your thinking, develop ideas and positions, and, in all, extend and individualize the intellectual work you’re doing in class. I’m hoping that each blog will be distinctly individual, that is, shaped by your curiosity, your positions, and your concerns. The sooner you can get it started, the better.
What sorts of content should your blog contain? I cannot dictate all the contents, and don't want to, because I’m hoping you'll make your blog your own and take it in directions I cannot anticipate. However, I can tell you that I expect to see at least the following ingredients:
1. Your reading journal, i.e. regular responses to the assigned texts. You should be posting such responses in preparation for almost every class. That means that you can expect to do this kind of journaling at least twice a week, and that you should be doing it before we get around to discussing the texts in class. Each time, you should offer a 300 to 500-word mini-essay; think the equivalent of 1 to 2 full pages. This should be in a tone and voice suitable to class discussion (see Editorial Standards, below). Alternately, if you prefer not to write all the time, and have confident skills in other media, you may do your reading journal in some other form: for example, audio podcast or video (concise, edited, not to exceed 5 minutes each time); slideshow (not to exceed 20 slides each time); or online comic (self-created, easily accessible from your blog, and requiring no downloading). Collaborative discussions with another classmate or two are also possible, using video or audio (talk to me about this in advance and get my okay). Whatever medium you choose, be specific and focused in your responses; concrete examples are always appreciated. Present thought-provoking points, i.e. observations, questions, and challenges that can prompt meaningful discussion, not simple yes/no questions or blunt statements of opinion without context or support. Remember, we are not interested so much in whether you "liked" a text or not; what we want to see is springboards for intelligent discussion, in terms relevant to class. A good reading journal entry will be one that could inspire a classmate to write a whole essay in reply!
2. Critical analysis of a current and ongoing superhero comic book series of your choosing. You should select a periodical superhero comic that is currently being published on a monthly or at least fairly regular basis, and you should carefully read and post on at least three successive issues of that series, using your blog to reflect on what you've read in terms relevant to our course. To be clear, I'm talking about individual comic book issues ("floppies") that tell a serialized story, not self-contained, bookshelf-ready graphic novels. Count on writing at least three blog entries about this series, distributed over the semester. That means at least one in the first third of the course (no later than Feb. 25), at least one in the middle third of the course (between Feb. 25 and April 1), and at least one in the final third (between April 1 and May 6). I’m hoping for a thoughtful discussion that minimizes plot summary, maximizes analysis, and links your chosen series to issues we've talked about in class. I’m also hoping that this requirement will encourage you to spend some time in comic book shops, trying out different comics and getting to know, if you don’t already, the shop environment. Shoot for at least 500 words per entry. (Remember that you can post more than three entries on this comic if you like; if you do post more frequently, feel free to vary the length. Overall, aim for a ballpark figure of 1500 words about the comic by the end of term.) My hope and expectation is that your final entry on this comic will show how far you’ve come in your critical understanding of the superhero genre.
3. An analytical report on a local comic book shop (other than Earth-2 Northridge). We'll discuss in class the history of comic book shops and their importance as a nexus or HQ for comics culture. Such shops tend to feature superheroes. At some point before March 18, you'll need to visit a shop of your choosing, observe it carefully, perhaps photograph it (if you may—do ask the shop managers first!), and post a reflective and analytical essay of at least 750 words that describes the role of superheroes in the shop, the variety of comics and perhaps other merchandise in the shop, and the shop's ethos or "personality."
Options: If you like, you may do the shop visit in tandem with another classmate or two and compare notes. You may visit during a special event such as a signing, sidewalk sale, or gaming tournament. In addition, you may interview one or more of the shop workers, should they be willing and able. Also, you may compare one shop to another (such as Earth-2 Northridge). Finally, your report may include narrative as well as the necessary descriptive and analytical aspects; in other words, feel free to tell a story about your visit. Bear in mind that none of these options are required, though all are welcome.
4. Critical analysis of a superhero film, television program, or videogame of your choosing. You should select a movie, TV series, or game within the genre (it does not have to be recent), watch or play it, study it closely, then use your blog to analyze it in terms relevant to class. Count on writing at least one entry about it (500 words or so) and completing this task before Spring Break. As part of your analysis, you may wish to consider and respond to professional reviews (aggregators like Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes may prove useful) and/or fan blogs. Note which (if any) comic book sources the program/game draws from. If you are reviewing a TV series, for example Flash, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Teen Titans Go!, Heroes, Misfits, whatever, view at least two successive episodes of the series (Hulu, Netflix, or DVDs may help). One caveat: we’ll all be viewing the films The Dark Knight (dir. Christopher Nolan, 2008) and The Avengers (dir. Joss Wheedon, 2012), so no fair choosing those. Spoofs or satires of the genre are fair game, BTW.
5. Your own superhero. By semester’s end—no later than May 6--you should post to your blog a design for your own superhero. Establish your hero's origins, abilities, look, and mission, in terms relevant to class. Be prepared to discuss your design in class, and to explain the logic underlying your choices, including your selection and use of genre elements and what you see as the ideological underpinnings, if any, of your hero. Give us at least one substantial post about this character, and try to give us at least one representative image (drawing or photo). Video, comics, and other media may be used; for all I know, you may wish to write and record a theme song for your hero! (Who's gonna stop you?) But do give us at least one written post that sums up the character, the way a baseball card sums up an athlete's career, abilities, and stats. Make a hero that reflects YOU and what you think is important—and don’t be afraid to be outrageous!
6. A prospectus for your final critical paper by March 30, and a full rough draft of that paper by April 22. See our course requirements for more detail.
To have a chance to earn full credit for your blog, you will need to attempt all of the above. Exactly how you handle them, over how many posts, and from what critical perspectives, is up to you. If an assignment calls for at least one blog entry, feel free to do more than one, break up your response as you see fit, or revisit the topics later if you like. Some bloggers excel at writing briefly but often; others excel at writing long posts, but less often. Either way is fine, as long as you cover the bases. Also, feel free to post other entries not covered by the above instructions; your blog is yours and should bear your fingerprints. Don’t hesitate to give us links to useful resources, include audiovisual texts, and experiment with what the blogging medium makes possible.
Your blog will be one of the primary ways in which you can communicate and share ideas with your classmates in 495SH, and may also be viewed and commented on by other superhero scholars and fans from anywhere around the world. I’ll be linking it to this blog, here, as well as to our class’s Moodle site. I envision your blog as a means by which you can absorb your reading, explore and refine your thinking, develop ideas and positions, and, in all, extend and individualize the intellectual work you’re doing in class. I’m hoping that each blog will be distinctly individual, that is, shaped by your curiosity, your positions, and your concerns. The sooner you can get it started, the better.
What sorts of content should your blog contain? I cannot dictate all the contents, and don't want to, because I’m hoping you'll make your blog your own and take it in directions I cannot anticipate. However, I can tell you that I expect to see at least the following ingredients:
1. Your reading journal, i.e. regular responses to the assigned texts. You should be posting such responses in preparation for almost every class. That means that you can expect to do this kind of journaling at least twice a week, and that you should be doing it before we get around to discussing the texts in class. Each time, you should offer a 300 to 500-word mini-essay; think the equivalent of 1 to 2 full pages. This should be in a tone and voice suitable to class discussion (see Editorial Standards, below). Alternately, if you prefer not to write all the time, and have confident skills in other media, you may do your reading journal in some other form: for example, audio podcast or video (concise, edited, not to exceed 5 minutes each time); slideshow (not to exceed 20 slides each time); or online comic (self-created, easily accessible from your blog, and requiring no downloading). Collaborative discussions with another classmate or two are also possible, using video or audio (talk to me about this in advance and get my okay). Whatever medium you choose, be specific and focused in your responses; concrete examples are always appreciated. Present thought-provoking points, i.e. observations, questions, and challenges that can prompt meaningful discussion, not simple yes/no questions or blunt statements of opinion without context or support. Remember, we are not interested so much in whether you "liked" a text or not; what we want to see is springboards for intelligent discussion, in terms relevant to class. A good reading journal entry will be one that could inspire a classmate to write a whole essay in reply!
2. Critical analysis of a current and ongoing superhero comic book series of your choosing. You should select a periodical superhero comic that is currently being published on a monthly or at least fairly regular basis, and you should carefully read and post on at least three successive issues of that series, using your blog to reflect on what you've read in terms relevant to our course. To be clear, I'm talking about individual comic book issues ("floppies") that tell a serialized story, not self-contained, bookshelf-ready graphic novels. Count on writing at least three blog entries about this series, distributed over the semester. That means at least one in the first third of the course (no later than Feb. 25), at least one in the middle third of the course (between Feb. 25 and April 1), and at least one in the final third (between April 1 and May 6). I’m hoping for a thoughtful discussion that minimizes plot summary, maximizes analysis, and links your chosen series to issues we've talked about in class. I’m also hoping that this requirement will encourage you to spend some time in comic book shops, trying out different comics and getting to know, if you don’t already, the shop environment. Shoot for at least 500 words per entry. (Remember that you can post more than three entries on this comic if you like; if you do post more frequently, feel free to vary the length. Overall, aim for a ballpark figure of 1500 words about the comic by the end of term.) My hope and expectation is that your final entry on this comic will show how far you’ve come in your critical understanding of the superhero genre.
3. An analytical report on a local comic book shop (other than Earth-2 Northridge). We'll discuss in class the history of comic book shops and their importance as a nexus or HQ for comics culture. Such shops tend to feature superheroes. At some point before March 18, you'll need to visit a shop of your choosing, observe it carefully, perhaps photograph it (if you may—do ask the shop managers first!), and post a reflective and analytical essay of at least 750 words that describes the role of superheroes in the shop, the variety of comics and perhaps other merchandise in the shop, and the shop's ethos or "personality."
Options: If you like, you may do the shop visit in tandem with another classmate or two and compare notes. You may visit during a special event such as a signing, sidewalk sale, or gaming tournament. In addition, you may interview one or more of the shop workers, should they be willing and able. Also, you may compare one shop to another (such as Earth-2 Northridge). Finally, your report may include narrative as well as the necessary descriptive and analytical aspects; in other words, feel free to tell a story about your visit. Bear in mind that none of these options are required, though all are welcome.
4. Critical analysis of a superhero film, television program, or videogame of your choosing. You should select a movie, TV series, or game within the genre (it does not have to be recent), watch or play it, study it closely, then use your blog to analyze it in terms relevant to class. Count on writing at least one entry about it (500 words or so) and completing this task before Spring Break. As part of your analysis, you may wish to consider and respond to professional reviews (aggregators like Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes may prove useful) and/or fan blogs. Note which (if any) comic book sources the program/game draws from. If you are reviewing a TV series, for example Flash, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Teen Titans Go!, Heroes, Misfits, whatever, view at least two successive episodes of the series (Hulu, Netflix, or DVDs may help). One caveat: we’ll all be viewing the films The Dark Knight (dir. Christopher Nolan, 2008) and The Avengers (dir. Joss Wheedon, 2012), so no fair choosing those. Spoofs or satires of the genre are fair game, BTW.
5. Your own superhero. By semester’s end—no later than May 6--you should post to your blog a design for your own superhero. Establish your hero's origins, abilities, look, and mission, in terms relevant to class. Be prepared to discuss your design in class, and to explain the logic underlying your choices, including your selection and use of genre elements and what you see as the ideological underpinnings, if any, of your hero. Give us at least one substantial post about this character, and try to give us at least one representative image (drawing or photo). Video, comics, and other media may be used; for all I know, you may wish to write and record a theme song for your hero! (Who's gonna stop you?) But do give us at least one written post that sums up the character, the way a baseball card sums up an athlete's career, abilities, and stats. Make a hero that reflects YOU and what you think is important—and don’t be afraid to be outrageous!
6. A prospectus for your final critical paper by March 30, and a full rough draft of that paper by April 22. See our course requirements for more detail.
To have a chance to earn full credit for your blog, you will need to attempt all of the above. Exactly how you handle them, over how many posts, and from what critical perspectives, is up to you. If an assignment calls for at least one blog entry, feel free to do more than one, break up your response as you see fit, or revisit the topics later if you like. Some bloggers excel at writing briefly but often; others excel at writing long posts, but less often. Either way is fine, as long as you cover the bases. Also, feel free to post other entries not covered by the above instructions; your blog is yours and should bear your fingerprints. Don’t hesitate to give us links to useful resources, include audiovisual texts, and experiment with what the blogging medium makes possible.
Commenting on the Blogs
Everyone in class should follow everyone else's blogs. Keep track of what your classmates have to say! To that end, each of you should set up your blog to receive and post comments from readers; that means choosing a blog provider, such as Weebly, Wix, or WordPress, that will allow comments easily (Tumblr and Instagram are not ideal for this). I strongly recommend that you regulate the comments on your blog by requiring comments to be approved by you before they go public; this helps prevent spam. I also urge you to set up an RSS feed, so that your classmates can subscribe and thus get your updates automatically. I will of course be linking your blogs to this blog, here, as well as to our Moodle site, but an RSS feed can work wonders for your readers. To earn full marks for blogging in our class, you will have to post at least two or three comments on someone else's blog(s) each week. These comments should be substantive, i.e. much more than "I like your post" or "You're kidding, right?" Always aim for a solid paragraph in response, one that not only expresses agreement or disagreement but gives your classmate something to think about or work with. Perhaps we can even bring some of this back-and-forth blog discussion into the classroom? Here's hoping.
Editorial Standards
Blogs are a medium that thrives on informality. We tend to think of them as casual communication, so it can be tempting, when you're blogging, to adopt a loose, informal tone, as if chatting with friends. I get that. But remember that we are involved in a class discussion here, not aimlessly riffing or spitting out whatever comes to mind. Strive for a blog voice that is "academic casual," that is, personal enough to reflect you but academic enough to show you at your sharpest (in other words, not as casual as BS-ing over beers with your best pals). All of your written work for 495SH should cleave to academic standards, including analytical precision and a tone that suits scholarly conversation. The benchmark I would shoot for in your blog posts is, not the tone of a formal academic paper per se, but rather the tone of the less formal Q&A that usually comes after the formal papers. That's when the pros can get more personal, inject humor, brainstorm with colleagues, and chew the fat—and that's a pretty good tone for blogs written for a college course. In short, be yourself, but aim for thoughtful argument, not casual texting; avoid social media lingo and texting abbreviations (OMG! WTF?), and make everything clear. I’ll expect careful, well supported writing, grammatically complete and cleanly presented.