Since Umbrella Academy focuses on a family of superheroes, this class will explore the nature of these relationships in depth through film analysis. 

**Notes will be turned in**

Week 1: Introduction to class. Students will learn film elements and how they work to convey certain messages. How might these translate into TV shows? Will the elements shift as a character undergoes a slower development/change? Clips outside source material include Groundhog Day and Supernatural.
         Homework: Watch episodes 1 and 2, take notes and prepare 2 questions or points of discussion for class  

Week 2: Students will present their questions or points of discussion in class on the first 2 episodes. This class will cover pacing and character introductions to first show the relationships and premise of the show. Which characters were introduced? What do we know about them so far? At what point did we realize that they were a family and which elements were used to convey this? We will also discuss analytical essay writing and structure in preparation for the first essay.
         Homework: Watch episodes 3 and 4, take notes, and write a short 4-5 paragraph essay on one of the characters. What are his/her conflicts: both inner and outer? How is the character developing so far? Use film elements to help explain how these are shown. 

Week 3: We will discuss character development through episodes 1-4 and determine as a class the main conflicts and plot points to follow. As a TV show, episodes are jam packed with content and have more than one plot point. How is the director maintaining continuity while diving into multiple stories in one?
       Homework: Watch episodes 5 and 6, take notes, write 1-3 paragraph descriptions of 2 different characters (different from first essay) and discuss their views toward their father, character traits, and inner conflicts - again, mention HOW this is shown through film elements

Week 4: At this point, characters have had time to develop and the plots are moving along. We will discuss more analytical points on their family dynamic and how their supernatural powers affected this. What type of parenting style did the father use? How was he shown through the series so far? We will also cover outlining and essay preparation
        Homework: Watch episodes 7 and 8, take notes and start making an outline for the final paper

Week 5: We will review film elements and key points, as well as how to start the essay. We will look at character development so far as the first season is nearing its climax and discuss how each character has ended up with their code of ethics and principles and if they have either stuck with them or broken them.
         Homework: Finish the season, write a rough draft of final essay: No less than 6 paragraphs, no more than 3 pages. Write about one of the characters and how they have developed through the season. Where did they start? Where did they end up? What hurdles did they have to conquer on the way? How did their experiences affect them?

Week 6: Final discussion, rough draft workshop, and Q&A. 
      Homework: Turn in final draft