Some lucky students can prepare to get schooled in all things Marvel, thanks to a new course at the University of Baltimore that will examine how Marvel Studios' series of interconnected films and television shows offer insight into modern culture.

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The class, entitled "Media Genres: Media Marvels," is a first of its kind look at Marvel Studios' efforts to establish an interconnected universe of plotlines, characters, and backstories in order to better understand our culture's love of superheroes. Starting with the first Iron Man movie, students will examine the films, television shows, and related comic books that make up the Marvel Cinematic Universe.The class will explore the consistent tone of the Marvel brand and how that tone helped mainstream audiences accept the world of superheroes and science fiction. "One thing we'll do is dive into the impact of the Guardians of the Galaxy film, which proved two things: Mainstream movie audiences are not remotely tired of superhero movies; and Marvel Studios can now release a sci-fi adventure that actually features talking trees and raccoons," says class instructor (and occasional IGN contributor) Arnold T. Blumberg."It started with a human emotional core delivered in the first Iron Man movie, and built out from there," explains Blumberg. "The Tony Stark character is memorable in that he was someone who could readily comment on the insanity around him. This grounded the entire Marvel film canon, and is still recognizable in the Guardians film."Blumberg suggests the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the current generation's Harry Potter or Star Wars, providing both entertainment and education on issues of morality, race, and gender. "We have a generation coming of age with these characters and this completely mapped-out universe. It could be argued that it's never been done better," says Blumberg. "But no matter what your age, there is always a fantasy/sci-fi/superhero realm that helps you to explore your place in the world, your identity, and your ideals."The class will be offered in the 2015 spring semester at the University of Baltimore.

Rachel Paxton-Gillilan is a freelance writer. She can sometimes be found on Twitter