Developed by: Ryan Peters
Revised: Spring 2002

      Level: 6-8

Comic Book Characters

 

Standards
 


Learning 
Expectations

 This activity will help students acquire competencies which relate to the following standards:
4. Career awareness and employment readiness skills
7. Self knowlegde and interpersonal skills
The student will:
4.8 Demonstrate respect for diversity
7.8 Recognize, respect, and appreciate individual and cultural diversity

General 
Approach		 This activity will  help children recognize how media images and depiction's can lead to stereotyping and gender bias.  It will also help them to see that media depiction's sometimes carry a stigma of inaccuracy.  This exercise should also help them to see how their own gender perceptions have been shaped by stereotyping.

Activity Steps
  1. Have students get in groups of two
  2. Let them use the computer and some of the various search engines to look for sites that relate to comic book characters (if computers are not available you can bring in comic books)
  3. Have students read character reviews and descriptions and then jot down answers to the Comic Book Analysis Sheet
  4. Using your master Comic Book Analysis Sheet have students choose one of their characters to discuss
  5. As a class share and discuss ideas and observations referring to:
  • Are there any similarities shared by female characters? (are many of them victims' who need saving? are many of them described or drawn sexy?)
  • Are there any similarities shared by male characters? (are they heroic, are they tough or strong?)
  • What is missing in the portrayal of men and women in these comic books? (Peaceful sensitive men, strong heroic women)
  • What is the message about men and women that you get from these characters?
  • How do these depiction's make you feel?
  • Can you think of real life situations where people are stereotyped based on gender?
  • Can you think of occupations where people are stereotyped based on gender?
  1. Divide the class into groups of boys and girls.  Ask the group of girls to create a non-stereotypical female comic book character and the boys to create a non-stereotypical male comic book character.
  • Draw or paint a picture of your character
  • Identify what your character does
  • List the words that you would use to describe your character
  1. Have students present their new character to the class

Time Required		 This activity may require two 45-60 minute sessions.   The first can be devoted to researching character descriptions and group discussion.  The second can include the manufacturing of the characters and more discussion.

Resources
Needed		 Internet access or an assortment of comic books
Comic Book Analysis Sheet
Comprehension of backgrounders

Performance
Indicators		 Students will be evaluated on their analysis sheets, participation and comic book character presentations.