ENGL 386:
The Graphic Novel
(Fall 2015)

Introduction

In this class, we’re going to study graphic narrative: the combination of images and text to convey meaning. While the graphic novel will be the primary genre we explore, other specific forms and genres such as comics, comic strips, and webcomics will also provide relevant primary material. Ultimately, the term “graphic novel” will be interrogated for its cultural significance and relevance to specific texts. Of particular interest in this version of class will be the influence of digital technology on the design, distribution, and consumption of comic texts, but thematic links among the primary texts will speak to issues of cultural memory, nostalgia, and identity. Primary readings will include the works listed below, and these will be supplemented by relevant literary theory and comics-specific criticism and theory.                   

Objectives

This class serves as an introduction to the academic study of graphic narrative within a literary framework. Students will

• gain knowledge of the unique expressive affordances and formal qualities of the comics medium
• learn about the history and cultures of the comics medium and graphic novel genre
• explore the theoretical and critical discourse around Comics Studies
• develop skill in the critical analysis of visual texts and
• gain experience producing graphic narratives in a digital context

Requirements

Required Texts

The following 9 books are required reading for this class. All should be available at the bookstore. While sharing is acceptable, each of you should have regular access to a copy of each book, and you should bring the appropriate book with you on the day we will be discussing it.

Technology Requirements

In this class, we’ll be making use of technology in some specific ways. You’ll be blogging at graphicnovel.umwblogs.org, you’re encouraged to use Twitter (hashtag #engl386), and you’ll be working in a team to produce your own web-based graphic narrative. These things are all pretty normal.

The only somewhat uncommon bit of technology use you’ll need is the ability to scan comic images and manipulate them in software. The library does have a scanner you can use, but obviously it’s more convenient if you have your own or can borrow one. Many desktop printers include scanners, for example. Scanned images can be manipulated in GIMP, which is a free program that can be a bit of a challenge for first-time users. I will instruct you in its use, but I recommend downloading and trying it out sooner rather than later.

Finally, we’ll be using Zotero for the Annotated Bibliography assignment, and I generally recommend it for research anyway.

Assignments and Grading

The various items for this course will be graded such that everything adds up to about 1000 points. In other words, an assignment listed here as 10% will involve 100 points.

Participation [20%]

A participation grade is a determination of how much and how well you've contributed to the success of this class. This means being present every day we meet, and adding substantively to our online community, using the hashtag #engl386 where appropriate.

Blogging Community [30%]

At the class blog, you'll create several blog entries for grades, including “article” posts and “reflection” posts -- four of each.

Disassembly [10%]

Your first analysis essay will involve deconstructing a comic panel and writing a short essay in the “close reading” modality.

Annotated Bibliography [10%]

Working collaboratively, we'll develop an annotated bibliography of comics scholarship. You will be responsible for contributing and annotating 5 items for our database.

Webcomic [20%]

Working in a team (assigned in the first week of the semester) develop and publish online a graphic, serial narrative that runs for at least three weeks. Deliver a presentation to the class about your project.

Research Project [10%]

In your final assignment, expand one of your blog entries and, using sources collected in our bibliography, develop a sustained critical engagement with a comic text.

Grading Scale

The assignments and categories above add up to 100% of your grade. Where possible, that 100% will be made up of approximately 1000 assignment points. For example, your midterm, worth 20%, will be 200 points. Where applicable, the following grade scale is in effect (note, each  range already includes decimal points):

Policies and Expectations

Websites

Blog

This class will make use of several channels for online communication. The blog at graphic.umwblogs.org should be your starting point for most of the information and activity of the class. It includes all information about assignments and links to this document as well as appropriate pages in Canvas when appropriate. The blog is publicly accessible and should -- if all goes well -- attract readers and commenters from beyond the class. Your primary activities on the blog will be writing blog entries and posting comments.

Canvas

Our site in Canvas is where you’ll submit your assignments and access your grades. It will also host quizzes and the midterm exam.

Please note: There is a difference between submitting your work and posting it. Blog entries, for example, are posted on the blog, but if you want to receive a grade for them, you must submit them in Canvas. These are two separate steps.

Twitter, Tumblr, Etc.

You are encouraged to use Twitter, Tumblr and other social sites for extending and enlarging the conversation of this class. Use the hashtag “#engl386” wherever possible to, for example, tweet an interesting insight from class discussion, a provocative quote from a reading, or just something that you think we’d all be interested in.

Both Twitter and Tumblr are, of course, third-party social media sites, and as such, you should think carefully about your privacy and your audiences. You’ll need a non-private Twitter account, for example, so if you may want to create a new account for this class.

Use of Computing Devices in Class

You are welcome to use computers during class, including tablets, smartphones, whatever -- so long as you do not abuse this privilege. I simply ask you to be responsible with your computer use. Proper uses may include taking notes, reviewing the reading material, or participating in a constructive backchannel conversation such as Twitter. Improper uses include non-related chatting, watching movies, and working on homework assignments.

If what you’re doing is a distraction to me or others, I may ask you to stop. I may even count you absent for the day. If problems and distractions are pervasive, I may modify the computer use policy for the whole class.

Attendance

Since participation is a major part of this class, your presence is required. I expect you to be in class every time we meet. I will, therefore, keep a record of who is present and who is absent. If you are more than 30 minutes late to class, I will consider you absent. I will also consider you absent if you are physically present but spend most of your time in class doing something besides participating in whatever activities are going on (for example, you’re absorbed in a facebook chat or are studying for another class).

I understand that there are legitimate reasons for not coming to class -- sports events, illness, family activity, travel. Things happen. There is, however, no such thing as an “excused” absence. An absence is an absence. However, if you know ahead of time that you will miss class when an assignment is due, let me know so we can make alternative arrangements for you to do what you need to.

Accumulating 4 or more absences will reduce your participation grade by one half. (This is basically equivalent to a full letter in your final grade.) 7 or more absences will result in your failing this course.

Late Work

Assignments are due on the date and at the time specified in their description on the blog and on Canvas. Typically, assignments are due at 9:00 AM on the day in question, so work submitted at 9:01 is late and subject to penalties as follows:

(Note: “day” in the table above includes weekends and holidays.)

Status of Student Work

Much of the work for this class will be created online and shared with a public audience. All grades will be in Canvas, only accessible by you and me.

Academic Dishonesty

The UMW Honor System is in effect for our course. I may authorize specific assignments as collaborative work, but all other work must be your own, as per Article 1, Sections 1 and 2 of the University of Mary Washington Student Honor Code. Academic dishonesty typically boils down to taking credit for someone else’s work. Whether you’ve done so accidentally or maliciously, it’s still an honor violation. Some examples include:

• Including a quote in a blog post without identifying the source of that quote
• Using an image in a blog post without permission from its copyright holder
• Asking another student to “edit” your paper for you
• Creating a blog entry or essay that is mostly quotes, even properly attributed quotes

Disability Resources

The Office of Disability Resources has been designated by the University as the primary office to guide, counsel, and assist students with disabilities. If you already receive services through the Office of Disability Resources and require accommodations for this class, get in touch with me as soon as possible to discuss your approved accommodation needs. Please bring your accommodation letter with you to the appointment. I will hold any information you share with me in the strictest confidence unless you give me permission to do otherwise. If you have not contacted the Office of Disability Services and need accommodations, (note taking assistance, extended time for tests, etc.), I will be happy to refer you. The office will require appropriate documentation of disability. Their phone number is 540-654-1266.

Schedule

The following is really a week-by-week outline of what will be going on in this course. It is a tentative schedule, which means it may change. The full calendar, including specific readings, will be available in a Google Calendar. Key due dates and other events will also be available in the Canvas calendar.

Schedule

Comics in History

Week 1

• Welcome to the class
• Welcome to the syllabus
• Frans Masereel, "Die Stadt (The City)" find it online or in Canvas

Week 2

• Rodolphe Töpffer, "The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck"

• George Herriman, "Krazy Kat"
• and Winsor McCay, "Little Nemo"
• ... find both at ComicStripLibrary.org

Week 3

• Workshop on GIMP 
• Introduce Eisner's Contract with GodContinuing discussion of Eisner, Contract with God (all chapters)

Week 4

• Introducing Watchmen (chapters 1 - 4)

• Watchmen, Chapters V and VI

Making Comics

Week 5

• Disassembly Due
• Finish Watchmen

• Finish Watchmen, let's talk about the ending.

Week 6

• Read some scholarly perspectives on Watchmen:

• "Panelling Parallax: The Fearful Symmetry of William Blake and Alan Moore", Roger Whitson
• "Watchmen: The Graphic Novel as Trauma Fiction", Brandy Ball Blake

• Comics and creativity: Begin reading Lynda Barry's What it is

Week 7

• From Barry's "Activity Book" section, complete lesson 1 (p. 141) and 2 (p. 150)
• Formulate a tentative comic plan with your group
• Comic Easel tutorial

• Webcomic Proposals Due

Comics in Theory

Week 8

• FALL BREAK

• No formal class meeting; use this time to work on your comics.

Week 9

• Post your first webcomic before class today
• Begin Akira.

Week 10

• Akira.

• Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics (selections, in Canvas)
• Thierry Groensteen, The System of Comics (selections, in Canvas)

Week 11

• Ault, Barks, and Lacan
• Webcomic publishing should be complete

• Group Presentations Today
• Reflection Due Today

Comics, Culture, and Memory

Week 12

• Alison Bechdel, Fun Home

Week 13

• Alison Bechdel, Fun Home

• Begin Emily Carroll, Through the Woods.

Week 14

• Through the Woods.

• THANKSGIVING BREAK

Week 15

• Bibliography Due
• March, Book 2

• Final day of class

Finals Week

• Final Project Due