"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.
This course is part of the Fandom and Popular Culture in the Digital Age Specialization
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About this Course
Curiosity and interest
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Try Coursera for BusinessWhat you will 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 will gain
- Self-Reflection
- analysis
- Culture
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
Curiosity and interest
Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?
Try Coursera for BusinessOffered by
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Framing Fandom in Imaginary Spaces
Superheroes, Identity, and Answering the Call for Representation
When Fandom Turns Toxic
About the Fandom and Popular Culture in the Digital Age Specialization

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