Using Comics to Teach Sociology

• In Event: 3423 - Teaching and Learning Symposium Roundtable
  In Informal Discussion Roundtable: Table 9: Teaching Sociology with Nontraditional Texts

Abstract

Comics offer an excellent media to addressing. Comics are more popular than ever and continue to be one of the more successful industry in the country. They are incredible popular and present diverse worlds and point of views that are presented in fantasy but rooted in the harsh reality of the real world. The ability to identify with its characters means that the reader shifts point of view and sympathize with their plight. The images also disarms and help present the world in a such way that the issues are reinforced and help readers relate. It also works because readers are attracted to the idea of having powers as a means to change the world.

It is important to look at new media to teach students. And with comics as a lens, this new media can be very useful. Comics and comic characters are more popular and mainstream than ever. It is one of the most powerful ways that we learn about topics such as sex, gender, race, class, etc.

During the fall 2018 semester, students used a content analysis approach to conduct research on current comic series. The comics featured people of color. This fit with the course theme examining the impact of representation within social systems within the culture. Using a 10 issues set of the comics as data, student applied the content analysis methodology, to develop codes then themes. The students wrote academic journal articles based on the comics and some were submitted to the college’s undergraduate research journal.

This workshop outlines the steps used to teach the students how to analysis comics. It also discusses specific techniques used to teach the elements of the academic journal as well as how to write the articles.

Author

• Myron T. Strong, Community College of Baltimore County