Fantasy Media in the Classroom

One of the more common misconceptions in the teaching profession is that professors who use popular culture and fantasy in the classroom have abandoned the classics. However, in a variety of contexts--from high school to college, freshman composition to senior seminars, English language and literature to computer science, philosophy and politics--fantasy materials can expand and enrich an established curriculum. These essays combine close analyses of popular television shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer; such films as The Matrix, The Dark Knight and Twilight; Watchmen and other graphic novels; and video games; with explanations of how best to use these and similar works in the classroom. With experience-based anecdotes and helpful suggestions for course curricula, this collection provides a valuable pedagogy of pop culture.