"Comic Books, Geek Culture, and the Fandom Imaginary" explores some of the conventional framings of “fandom” (from comic book obsessives to cosplayers) and the cultural histories that sustain it. It also explores the dark side of these dynamics, looking at what can happen when fandom turns toxic in pop culture spaces. You will continue to apply frameworks of self-reflection and close reading/analysis to the study of contemporary popular culture, and explore how those frameworks provide tools for understanding the self as much as our cultural surroundings. The course asks the fundamental question: how can what we love - what we read, what we watch, what we share - contribute to making the world a better place? Along the way, you’ll continue to develop your skills in honing and representing your fandom, specifically engaging in activities designed to help you find your fellow fans, help you find your people, and connect with them outside and beyond the course.
Give your career the gift of Coursera Plus with $160 off, billed annually. Save today.
Comic Books, Geek Culture, and the Fandom Imaginary
This course is part of Fandom and Popular Culture in the Digital Age Specialization
Instructor: Christopher Haynes
Included with
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Define and describe the dynamics of geek culture, as well as its relationships to fandom, popular culture, and digital media
Apply critical self-reflection and close reading frameworks through analytical writing and creative expression
Engage with pop culture and fandom communities by leveraging online platforms to make connections and synthesize learning
Reflect on your personal relationship to geek culture, and how popular culture intersects with memory and nostalgia
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Add to your LinkedIn profile
2 assignments
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your subject-matter expertise
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
There are 3 modules in this course
In this module, you will dig into the dynamics of comic books and geek culture and how both are rooted in the exploration of imaginary spaces (both fictional, and internal). We will introduce these topics and concepts, continue to apply our frameworks of self-reflection and close reading to them, and start preparations for the final project.
What's included
5 videos6 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt1 plugin
In this module, you will explore the contemporary evolution of the comic book superhero and their complex identity dynamics. Applying what you’ve learned about comics history and the fandom imaginary, you will encounter superheroes as characters, imaginative mirrors, and fans all at once. You will also apply your self-reflection skills to excavate your own relationship (or lack thereof) with comics and geek culture.
What's included
3 videos7 readings1 discussion prompt
In this module, you will explore the darker sides of fandom and fan culture, what happens when fans turn on each other, or on outsiders, and in/out dynamics start to determine engagement and interaction. You’ll also continue applying your frameworks of analysis and reflection to shape your positive contributions to your fandom, and connect with that fandom community directly through the “Find Your Fandom” project.
What's included
4 videos5 readings1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt
Instructor
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Personal Development
Michigan State University
Erasmus University Rotterdam
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of London
Why people choose Coursera for their career
New to Personal Development? Start here.
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.