Superheroes: Cinema and Comics

Undergraduate | 2026

Course page banner
Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
MDIA 2020
Course ID icon
Course ID
207667
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus West
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
Communication and Journalism
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Aaron Humphrey
Course level icon
Course level
2
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

One of the of the most popular forms of media of the early 21st century is inter-connected superhero films inspired by comic books. In this course, students will gain a deeper understanding of superhero films and comics and transmedia universes, as well as their historical influences, and the roles they have played in wider cultural debates about identity, power, ethics and society, using cutting edge digital tools to research these films and build important skills in data collection and analysis.

Course learning outcomes

  • Analyse the cultural history of superhero media from a variety of perspectives.
  • Apply digital humanities methods to engage with creative texts through digital archives and algorithms.
  • Design and conduct a research project that investigates the textual and/or paratextual qualities of a set of cultural texts.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ways that comics can be used to communicate information by creating a short research comic.

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus West

Class number
Class number 55089
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 45
Available
Available 43
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 22 Sep Tuesday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir Hans Heysen, HH5-08
13 Oct - 10 Nov Tuesday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir Hans Heysen, HH5-08

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

Fee calculator

To display course fees, please select your status and program below:

We’re updating this Fee Calculator. It currently shows fees for programs only. Please check the relevant program for full fee details.

Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here.

Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.

The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.