Apr 19, 2024  
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2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

US 286 Myths, Metaphors, and Morals in the Whedonverse

Joss Whedon—an American television and film screenwriter, director, and producer—has become one of the most iconic and influential movers of pop culture. He is the creator of multiple cult shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, and Dollhouse and has been intimately involved in major film franchises including Toy Story, and The Avengers. Currently, Joss Whedon has more scholarly books and articles written about him and his artistic visions than any other living writer today. Buffy the Vampire Slayer debuted as a TV series in 1997 and is to this day considered one of the most artistic and metaphor-ridden shows to successfully document the teenage experience. How did the show reach this level of cultural importance and popularity? Can we understand its rise and appeal through deconstruction? In this course we will be studying Joss Whedon as a writer, artist, and director. We will explore the artistry behind his shows, attempt to understand the ways he drew on myth and created lasting images and storylines that feel timeless, as well as explore the underlying morals that seem to guide his storytelling choices. We will explore the psychology, mythology, philosophy, feminism, writing, and directorial choices of one of today’s most important storytellers.