Not Such a Marvel to Behold: The Case Against Superhero Films in the Classroom

As superhero films take over the multiplexes, they are increasingly finding their way into learning spaces, too. While educators may be tempted to use them as conduits for discussing teamwork, courage and gender roles – and, furthermore, as texts that can potentially engage indifferent students – Louise Lavery contends that the pedagogical value of these works should be reconsidered.

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Teaching Media, middle years, senior secondary, DC, Iron Man, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Dark Knight, Man of Steel, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Wonder Woman, antiheroes, sex appeal, toxic masculinity, violence