World of Superheroes

Catalog description

This course examines the history and culture of superheroes. The world of superheroes includes figures whose histories are drawn from folklore, myths and legends of numerous civilizations. The superhero today should thus be re-conceptualized as part of a local, national and even global culture and should be examined in light of what superheroes reflect about the cultures that created them, particularly in terms of law, politics, religion, philosophy, science, gender and race. The course will highlight not only the hero in history but the roles of superheroes across cultures, e.g., Japan, India, the Middle East, Africa, South America and Mexico. Fulfills core cross-cultural requirement.