Course: Writing Superheroes
| HERITAGE UNIVERSITY 3240 Fort Road Telephone: 509-865-8564
Toppenish, WA 98948 Facsimile: 509-865-8629 Website: www.heritage.edu |
ONLINE SYLLABUS
Course Title: ENG 352A /552A Superheroes Credits: 3 (Undergrad) or 2 (Grad)
Semester and Year: Summer 2017
Instructor: Professor Dawn Cordray Class Location: ON-LINE https://myheritage.heritage.edu/ICS/
Office Hours: Any time; arrange by text or email cordraywriter@gmail.com
- Course description, objectives, and prerequisites:
Prerequisites: No prerequisites necessary to take this course.
Overall course description: This is a course of watching, reading and analyzing superheroes and other lead character well-loved heroes including the hero’s journey by looking at portions of movie and TV scripts and a writing class in creating strong, loveable, protagonists.
Overall course objective: By the end of this course students will have a better understanding of what makes a watchable hero, what the hero needs to go through on his/her quest, and how to write strong lead characters that captivate an audience.
Overall course format: The course will combine online classroom attendance with individual online assignments, full peer-forum discussion and participation, online workshop activity, and a final formal presentation.
This course is focused on contemporary culture and the scripts that become that influence our culture. Throughout this course, students will:
- Study our infatuation with heroes and superheroes;
- Discuss how well-loved popular heroes and superheroes affect “pop culture” and influences our current actions (morally, personally, academically, and nationally);
- Practice critical thinking, analytical review, and discussion of heroes and superheroes like Marvel Comic’s Ironman and Firefly and Serenity’s Captain Malcolm Reynolds;
- Practice writing that creates great, loveable lead heroes;
- Analyze conflict and resolution and plot pacing from scripts, and
- Analyze the use of language as a means to dramatize manipulate and evoke reactions from the audience, define a point of view or cultural voice, and communicate subtly or overtly.
- Learner Outcomes, Heritage Outcomes, Performance Indicators, and Assessment Methods/Codes:
| LEARNER OUTCOMES (KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS) | *HU
GOALS |
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (EVIDENCE) (Products and Performance) |
| Become acquainted with some of the underlying similarities in all great heroes.
|
K | Write weekly forum responses to discussion questions based on primary works as examples of strong character, narrative, and story. |
| Become aware of connections between creative writing and pop culture and take responsibility for how our culture thinks.
|
K, R | Write weekly forum responses to discussion questions based on the introductory readings in the text and online that cover historical, thematic, cultural, and social contexts. |
| Explore some of the methods and terms for analyzing TV and movie scripts.
|
K, S, A | Identify literary elements in the readings regarding superheroes. |
| Become aware of and demonstrate strong creative writing | K, S, A | Write weekly forum responses and short papers and final paper |
*HU GOALS:
- K = Knowledge of the Physical World and of Human Culture
- S = Skills (Intellectual and Practical)
- R = Responsibility (Personal and Social)
- A = Integrative and Applied
- Course Guidelines and Expectations: Assignments:
This online class includes:
- Four online class lectures + one presentation class via Blackboard Collaborate (You are expected to attend class; a recording will be available if you cannot attend.)
- Brief (1 paragraph) writing assignments based on the weekly assigned readings/videos that are posted to the Forum for discussion using a Thursday/Sunday posting schedule. (Assignments must be posted by 11:59 p.m. PST and students must leave critique comments on other students’ work by 11:59 p.m. PST Sunday)
- Four short writing assignments (1 – 2 pages, double spaced) and student follow-up forum discussions/formal peer critiques (also using a Thursday/Sunday posting schedule.)
- One final paper (15 – 18 pages, double spaced) with corresponding presentation
You will receive participation points (see Grading below) not only for quality of responses and critiques, but also for posting on-time.
Forum discussions have to happen during each unit they are assigned; if you are late, there is no one “there” to read what you’ve written!
Peer Critiques, Workshops, and Final Presentation:
See full instructions under each Workshop in the menu. Final presentations of revised pieces are due in the final unit of the course. You’ll post your revised, polished piece in the genr. You’ll also write formal critiques of others’ final works.
Technology:
- Students will use My Heritage at https://myheritage.heritage.edu/ICS/. Student login and password work for all Heritage access.
- Students are expected to use the Heritage Email system and check their email frequently (see instructor weekly information every Friday) to ensure effective communication between instructor and student.
- Internet Browser: Should have latest updates and support packages. It is strongly recommended students use High-Speed Internet connections rather than dial-up, as this will ensure better communication without lag time.
- Texts and Study Aids:
Astonishing X-Men: Ultimate Collection Vol. 1. Joss Whedon
The Psychology of Superheroes: An Unauthorized Exploration by Rosenberg and Canzoneri
Plot & Structure: Techniques & Exercises For Crafting A Plot To Grips Readers From Start To Finish. James Scott Bell
OPTIONAL:
- Super You: Release Your Inner Superhero by Emily Gordon
- Creating Characters: The Complete Guide to Populating Your Fiction by Writers Digest.
ALSO:
Regular high-speed access to Heritage University’s online coursework: http://myheritage.heritage.edu
- Assessment and Grading Procedures:
Online class participation 15 points
Weekly paragraph assignments 20 points
Comments on other students’ work 15 points
Four short papers 20 points
Final project (20 points paper + 10 points presentation) 30 points
TOTAL 100 points
- Academic Honesty (excerpt from Heritage University Catalog)
Heritage University students have the responsibility to adhere to academic honesty in all their educational endeavors. Faculty has the responsibility to model academic honesty and to prevent, detect, and confront students who violate it. Academic dishonesty is serious and will carry appropriate sanctions ranging from a written record of the violation being placed in the student’s file, to course failure, and even to suspension or dismissal from the university. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, and all behavior inconsistent with academic integrity and honesty.
- SCHEDULE —See My Heritage course menu due dates (subject to change as needed):
THIS IS THE 8 -9 WEEK SCHEDULE
Unit 1 Tortured Superheroes— forums due Thurs of each week (replies due Sunday)
Week 1 – Marvel – Spiderman and Ironman
Complete Introductions/Orientation tasks:
Read Chapter 5 Rosenberg, and Chapter 1 Bell, introduction to the course software.
Read assigned sections of Spiderman and Ironman scripts
Week 2 – Marvel – X-Men: Wolverine, Cyclops, Professor Xavier, Dr. Gray, Storm
Forum discussions on assigned readings. Ch. 9 Rosenberg, Ch. 2 Bell, Ch. 1 Whedon
Paper # 1 due
Week 3 – DC Comics – Superman and Batman
Forum discussions on assigned readings. Chapter 3 Rosenberg,
Week 4 –Females – Wonder Woman, Black Widow, Scarlett Witch, Jessica Jones
Forum discussions on assigned readings. Chapter 11 Rosenberg, Chapter 3 Bell
Paper # 2 due
Unit 2 Adventurers and Underdogs — forums due Thurs of each week (replies due Sun)
Week 5– Indiana Jones and James Bond
Forum discussions of assigned readings: Chapter 4 Gordon, Chapter 5 Bell: Strength
Week 6 – Star Wars and Star Trek: Luke, Leia, Han Solo/ Kirk, Piccard, Janeway, etc.
Forum discussions on assigned readings. Chapter 6 Bell
Paper # 3 due
Week 7 – Harry Potter and Bilbo Baggins
Forum discussions on assigned readings. Ch. 7 Bell
Week 8 – Others: Captain Malcolm Reynolds (Firefly/ Serenity), Jake Sully (Avatar)
Forum discussions on assigned readings. Chapter 8 Rosenberg, Chapter 8 Bell
Robin Hood, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, and Zorro
Forum discussions on assigned readings.
Paper # 4 due
Week 8/9 – Final paper due, Presentations of final pieces; Final peer critiques
- Attendance:
Regular participation is expected and considered essential for successful academic work. Weekly online assignments are due on Thursday and Sunday to confirm attendance. If you must miss any deadline, communication is essential. Contact me in advance to make arrangements, or as soon as possible for emergencies, and take responsibility for the class work missed. Remember that Heritage University Student Affairs is ready to help solve problems that interfere with attending class. Call them at 509-865-0440, ext. 2001 or email them at studentaffairs@heritage.edu. However, if I do not hear from you, the Heritage University Catalog attendance policy states “a faculty member may recommend an administrative withdrawal [from a course] whenever a student misses two consecutive class sessions [one weekly online assignment deadline] and does not contact the instructor.” Prior to any such action, I will submit a Faculty Advocacy request asking Student Affairs to contact you. Your success in this class is my primary goal.
- 9. Credit Hour Requirements:
Federal regulations require that all courses follow the Heritage University definition of a credit hour as described in HU Policy. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:
(1) One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction or instructor availability and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester, or
(2) At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit.
- Campus Security & Safety:
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Heritage University Campus Security: 509-961-4674
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Regional Sites, please reference the Host Campus Security and Emergency safety plan.
Important Information: Disability Policy
Current law describes ‘disability’ as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. As an institution of higher learning Heritage University wishes to make reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities. If you believe you need accommodation, the first step is to contact Student Affairs on the Heritage University Campus (Toppenish) or call at 509-865-8515 (or 888-272-6190) or e-mail (studentaffairs@heritage.edu).