Z616 Comic Books and Their Readers, Spring 2026

Qualitative, quantitative, and digital methods for studying comic readers and fans

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Rubric: Tales from the Crypt Assignment

Criteria 4 – Exceptional 3 – Good 2 – Acceptable 1 – Unacceptable
Depth and Originality of Research Uncovers substantial information using multiple sources; demonstrates creative and persistent inquiry into a relatively obscure figure. Good research effort with a variety of sources; shows some originality or synthesis. Basic research conducted; sources are limited or lack depth. Minimal research; heavy reliance on a single source or includes unverifiable claims.
Critical Engagement with Fandom/History Strong contextualization of subject’s role in fandom or comics history; thoughtful reflection on cultural and historical dimensions. Includes relevant context with some critical reflection. Limited engagement with historical or fan context. Lacks meaningful contextualization or critical thinking.
Documentation and Citation Includes well-organized documentation (letters, obituaries, media, etc.) with proper attribution. Includes relevant documentation; mostly cited correctly. Some documentation included; inconsistent attribution. Little or no documentation; citations missing or unclear.
Structure and Presentation Professionally formatted and clearly written; appropriate use of headings, images, captions. Mostly well-organized with a few inconsistencies. Understandable but lacks polish or formatting. Difficult to follow; lacks structure or visual coherence.