Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America and assorted other Marvel Comics superheroes watch over Dr. Deidra Coleman’s office in Wofford’s Olin Building. 
 
An assistant professor of mathematics in her second year at Wofford, Coleman admits to a fondness for the fantastic, particularly in the realm of comic-book creations. In January, she taught an Interim class on “Traits, Superheroes and Villains,” using the superpowers of fictional creatures to explore human qualities. 
 
Texts for the class included “Batman and Philosophy,” “The Avengers and Philosophy” and “Wonder Woman Psychology: Lassoing the Truth,” collections of essays that illustrate the real-world application of values presented by imagined heroes and villains. 
 
Although Coleman said she didn’t read comic books as a child (and still doesn’t), the depiction of superheroes on television series and in movies drew her into the genre. 
 
“I like watching and spending time thinking about heroes,” she says. “There are the plays on good and evil. What we face every day comes out in comics and in these stories.” 
 
Batman and Superman, two of the original superheroes, are near the top of Coleman’s list. 
 
“I like the idea that Batman is attainable in terms of his skills,” she says. “You could put your head down and work hard and have some of the attributes he has. He doesn’t have superpowers, but he’s smart. I’m thinking this guy is a mathematician in his heart. He builds things and invents things, and he thinks very critically and analytically. 
 
“Superman is honest, and he tries his best to be good on all possible levels. Of course, I like his powers, too, but Batman is more reachable.”