Back to selection
74878-01 - Seminar: Beyond Superheroes: Real-World Issues and Social Communication in Comics (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Svitlana Pidoprygora (svitlana.pidoprygora@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Comics aren’t just entertainment – they're a powerful lens through which we explore the biggest challenges of our time. From wars and personal crises to ecological disasters, comics have the unique ability to reflect and respond to societal issues, making complex events relatable and understandable. In this course, focusing on works created from the mid-20th century to the present day around the world, we’ll dive into how different genres of comics – superhero, documentary, autobiographical, and more – tackle real-world challenges. We’ll discover how comics have moved beyond entertainment to become a voice for social change, from capturing historical events to processing trauma and inspiring action? How do superhero stories reflect their cultural and political contexts? How do autobiographical comics address gender and identity? How are wars, both past and present (and the ongoing war in Ukraine), depicted from various perspectives in documentary and journalistic comics? Featured works include iconic titles like Watchmen, Maus, Persepolis, and Fun Home, alongside Ukrainian comics and other global stories that illustrate how creators turn personal and collective crises into visual narratives. We will also explore how comics are utilized in various social, cultural, and historical projects, with a focus on their role in raising awareness and fostering dialogue in society. Delivered primarily online, this course invites collaboration between local and Ukrainian students, offering opportunities for joint creative projects and diverse perspectives. Guest speakers from academia and the comics industry will enrich our discussions, helping us understand how comics are more than just stories – they’re a mirror to our world, sparking dialogue and connection. |
| Learning objectives | By the end of this course, students will develop the skills to critically analyze comics as a medium for addressing social, cultural, and historical issues, exploring themes such as identity, war, and migration. They will engage in discussions, exercise critical thinking, and participate in collaborative creative projects (Ukraine – Switzerland), enhancing their understanding of cross-cultural communication and artistic expression. |
| Comments | The course will be held partly online and partly offline for students from the University of Basel. For students outside Switzerland, as well as for those residing in Ukraine, the course will be conducted entirely online. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 14.15-15.45 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 18.02.2025 | 14.15-15.45 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Tuesday 25.02.2025 | 14.15-15.45 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Tuesday 04.03.2025 | 14.15-15.45 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Tuesday 11.03.2025 | 14.15-15.45 | Fasnachstferien |
| Tuesday 18.03.2025 | 14.15-15.45 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Tuesday 25.03.2025 | 14.15-15.45 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Tuesday 01.04.2025 | 14.15-15.45 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Tuesday 08.04.2025 | 14.15-15.45 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Tuesday 15.04.2025 | 14.15-15.45 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Tuesday 22.04.2025 | 14.15-15.45 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Tuesday 29.04.2025 | 14.15-15.45 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Tuesday 06.05.2025 | 14.15-15.45 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Tuesday 13.05.2025 | 14.15-15.45 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Tuesday 20.05.2025 | 14.15-15.45 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Tuesday 27.05.2025 | 14.15-15.45 | --, -- |
| Modules |
Modul: Gesellschaft in Osteuropa (Bachelor's degree program: Eastern European Studies) Modul: Gesellschaft in Osteuropa (Bachelor's degree subject: Eastern European Cultures) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Slavic Studies) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: English) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: German Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: French Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Spanish Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Italian Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: German Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Latin Philology) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Nordic Philology) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's Studies - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) Modul: Kunst in Osteuropa (Bachelor's degree subject: Eastern European Cultures) Modul: Kunst in Osteuropa (Bachelor's degree program: Eastern European Studies) Modul: Literatur im Zusammenspiel der Künste und Medien (Master's degree program: Literary Studies) Modul: Literaturgeschichte (Master's degree program: Literary Studies) Modul: Religion, Narration und Medien (Master's degree subject: Science of Religion) Modul: Slavische Kulturwissenschaft (Master's degree subject: Slavic Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Slavistik |