eLearnAfrica
The Rise of Superheroes and Their Impact On Pop Culture
The Smithsonian Institution
  • Start Date: 04 Oct, 2016
  • Self-Paced
  • Study Content: Videos


EXCLUSIVE! When you complete a verified certificate in this course, you will receive digital artwork from a current comic book artist.

Course Fee: Free
Certificate Cost: 50.00 USD
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Introduction

Introduction Video

Course Description

This course is made available through the eLearnAfrica and Edx partnership.

Join the Smithsonian, and comic book industry legend Stan Lee, in this self-paced course to explore the history of the comic book and the rise of superheroes.


The ancient gods of Egyptian, Greek and Roman myths still exist, but today, they have superpowers, human foibles and secret identities. They come from comic books and graphic novels, and have taken over pop culture on the stage, screen, video games, and animation.


From Superman® and Spider-Man®, to The Avengers® and The Hulk® and beyond, who are these heroes? And, how have they evolved from folklore and myth, across all cultures and religions?


Learn from Smithsonian and industry experts including:



  • Stan Lee, who was one of the creators of the modern superhero template. His early comics featuring Spider-Man, Iron Man®, The Hulk, Thor®, and The Avengers led Marvel to success. He continues to reinvent himself to create modern global superheroes and appear in cameos in superhero films and TV, such as Avengers: Age of Ultron.

  • Michael Uslan, executive producer of top grossing, award winning movies, including The Dark Knight series, Lego® Movie, the animated Batman films and Batman® VS Superman.


In this self-paced course, we explore the following questions:



  • Why did superheroes first arise in 1938 and experience what we refer to as their “Golden Age” during World War II?

  • Why did the superhero genre ebb and flow in popularity over the decades?

  • How have comic books, published weekly since the mid-1930’s, mirrored a changing American society, reflecting our mores, slang, fads, biases and prejudices?

  • Why was the comic book industry nearly shut down in the McCarthy Era of the 1950’s?

  • How did our superheroes become super-villains in the eyes of the government, clergy, educators, and parents of the mid-20th Century?

  • When and how did comic books become acceptable again, and eventually become valid teaching tools in universities and schools?

  • When and how did comic book artwork become accepted as a true American art form as indigenous to this country as jazz?

  • Finally, when and how did comic books become “cool” and the basis for blockbuster movies, hit TV series, top-selling video games, and acclaimed animation, while also impacting fashion and style- and even the moral and ethical codes of children- around the globe?


The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is excited to offer the opportunity to go into the collection and see why superheroes are a dominant cultural force in today’s world.


As you learn about how cultural myths, world events, and personal experiences shaped the first superheroes, you will apply these frameworks to create your own superhero– or you can choose to do a deeper analysis on existing comic book heroes. This original project is required for certification and anything created by you as part of this self-paced course is the intellectual property of you and you alone.


At last, fans, students and seekers of knowledge have the opportunity to enroll in the ultimate comic book course.

Certificate cost may vary. You will be redirected to the host page for cost and payment options.

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The Smithsonian Institution

Since its founding in 1846, the Smithsonian has been committed to inspiring generations through knowledge and discovery. The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum and research complex, consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. Nearly 500 PhDs serve as scientists, researchers, historians, curators, and scholars for the Smithsonian. There are over 30 million visits to the Smithsonian annually. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at 137 million. Visit us at www.si.edu.

This institution is available on eLearnAfrica through partnership with Edx.

You may be able to download course materials after enrolling in this course. If not, all of the necessary course materials provided by the course instructor will be available on the provider's course page.
COLLABORATION POLICY

By enrolling in a course on or through eLearnAfrica, you are joining a special worldwide community of learners. The aspiration of eLearnAfrica is to provide anyone with an internet connection access to courses from the best universities and institutions in the world and to provide our learners the best educational experience internet technology enables. You are a part of the community that will help eLearnAfrica achieve this goal. eLearnAfrica depends upon your motivation to learn the material and to do so with honesty and academic integrity. In order to participate in eLearnAfrica, you must agree to the Honor Code below and any additional terms specific to a class.

ELEARNAFRICA HONOR CODE PLEDGE

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  • Complete all tests and assignments on my own, unless collaboration on an assignment is explicitly permitted.

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  • Abide by any and all requirements of the eLearnAfrica Participants as may regard the expectations of civil or academic behavior or of community standards.

VIOLATIONS

If you are found in violation of the Terms and Conditions or Honor Code, you may be subject to one or more of the following actions:

  • Receiving a zero or no credit for an assignment;

  • Having any certificate earned in the course withheld or revoked;

  • Being unenrolled from a course, learning program or degree program; or

  • Termination of your use of the App and/or Site.

  • Additional actions may be taken at the sole discretion of eLearnAfrica and eLearnAfrica course providers. 

No refunds will be issued in the case of any corrective action for such violations.

Honor code violations will be determined at the sole discretion of eLearnAfrica, the Partners, or Members. You will be notified if a determination has been made that you have violated this honor code and you will be informed of the corresponding action to be taken as a result of the violation.

CHANGING THE HONOR CODE

Please note that we review and may make changes to this Honor Code from time to time. Any changes to this Honor Code will be effective immediately upon posting on this page, with an updated effective date. By accessing the App and/or Site after any changes have been made, you signify your agreement on a prospective basis to the modified Honor Code and any changes contained therein. Be sure to return to this page periodically to ensure familiarity with the most current version of this Honor Code.

Effective Date: September 22, 2016