Universität Wien

124261 KO Critical Media Analysis (2025W)

Comics Adaptations of Myths

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 30 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 14.10. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Tuesday 21.10. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Tuesday 28.10. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Tuesday 04.11. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Tuesday 11.11. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Tuesday 18.11. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Tuesday 25.11. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Tuesday 02.12. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Tuesday 09.12. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Tuesday 16.12. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Tuesday 13.01. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Tuesday 20.01. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Tuesday 27.01. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In this course, we will take a close look at the specific mechanisms and possibilities of comics. In recent years, the comics medium has started to be taken (somewhat) seriously not only as a successful industry but also as a unique art form and worthwhile research subject in academia. The study of myth, in contrast, has quite a long (and often controversial) history. By analysing adaptations of Greek myths in comics, we will therefore combine the old and the new and find out how they influence each other: What do the affordances of this specific medium do with these kinds of stories? How does mythic storytelling shape our ideas of what comics can (and should) do?

In order to answer these questions, we will learn about and combine theories on myth, adaptation, and comics. We will then look at a variety of comics: analogue and digital, highly stylized and simplistic, action and drama. We will analyse the comics’ adaptation choices according to Linda Hutcheon’s approach: how and to what effect do these texts rewrite their chosen myths? And how does this relate back to the malleability of (Greek) myths?

Close readings of the primary texts will be supplemented by secondary literature on (Greek) myth and the discussed comics. Students will use a variety of analytical methods and theoretical approaches, and will gain basic theoretical tools for the critical analysis and interpretation of comics.

By the end of the course, students will be able to …
… recognize and analyse mechanisms of the comics medium.
… reflect creatively on their own role as (co-)creator.
… contribute to the discourses surrounding myth and its relevance today.
… write shorter analytical and reflective texts according to the rules of literary and cultural studies.

Assessment and permitted materials

Students are expected to prepare the material for each session and to actively participate in the classroom discussions. These discussions can take on various forms of work, from debates over group work to creative engagements with the texts.
Each student has to fulfil one expert task. This may include reading and/or researching additional material as well as presenting your findings orally in class.
The creative and reflective portfolio will consist of various smaller creative tasks as well as written reflections thereof. Please note that your creative output may be made available to your fellow students.
The glossary entries will allow you to analyse and gain an overview of different versions of myths.

Creative tasks will be assessed on a passed/failed basis. All other tasks will be graded according to the grids presented in the first session.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Active Participation: 10%
Expert Task: 25%
Creative and Reflective Portfolio: 45%
Glossary: 20%

Students must fulfil and pass each of the course requirements and score at least 60 % altogether in order to pass this course.
Grading Scale:
1: 100-90%
2: 89-80%
3: 79-70%
4: 69-60%
5: 59-0%

This is an interactive course. It relies in large parts on flipped-class room methodologies and therefore requires students' regular attendance.
You may miss no more than 2 session (i.e. 2x90 minutes of class). If a viable doctor's note is produced, you may miss a third session of 90 minutes, but then need to compensate it at the teacher's discretion. If you miss more than three lessons, this will result in your failing the course, due to excessive absence.

The plagiarism detection software Turnitin will be used on written assignments.
Allowed usage of AI is limited and has to adhere to the general LitCult guidelines as well as specifications discussed in the first session.

Examination topics

Participants are expected to study set materials and additional secondary/theory sources, take active part in the discussions, and fulfil all tasks.

Reading list

Primary Literature:
Cour, Édouard. Herakles. Translated by Jeremy Melloul, Lion Forge, 2018-2019.
Gillen, Kieron, et al. The Wicked + The Divine, Image Comics, 2014-2019.
Jenkinson-Brown, L.E. Greek Myth Comix, 2014-present, https://greekmythcomix.com/.
Smythe, Rachel. Lore Olympus. Webtoon / Del Rey, 2018-2024.

Secondary Literature (excerpt):
Dowden, Ken, and Niall Livingstone, eds. A Companion to Greek Mythology. Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.
Hutcheon, Linda. A Theory of Adaptation. 2nd ed., Routledge, 2013.
McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics. HarperPerennial, 1993.

Set material will be made available via Moodle and/or the Semesterapparat in the university library.

Please be advised that (since we are dealing with Greek mythology) we will be discussing narrative and graphic instances of violence (including sexual) and death.

The list above may be subject to changes.

Association in the course directory

Studium: BA 612, BEd 046/407
Code/Modul: BA07.3; BEd 08a.2, BEd 08b.1
Lehrinhalt: 12-4260

Last modified: Tu 07.10.2025 17:06