Culture Work & The Graphic Novel
Instructor: Clarence W. Tweedy III
Department: English, Linguistics, and Communication
Course Number: FSEM 100F3
CRN: 12752 or 12753
Required Texts:
- 300, Frank Miller and Lynn Varley
- In the Shadow of No Towers, Art Spiegleman
- Fall son, Joseph Loeb
- Superman: Red Son, Mark Millar
- Persepolis 2, Marjane Satrapi
- Invasion of the Dykes to Watch Out For, Alison Bechdel
- New York, Will Eisner
- Beyond Palomar: a Love and Rockets Book, Gilbert Hernandez
- Palestine, Joe Sacco
Films:
- “300”
- “Return of Superman”
- “Persepolis”
- “Paradise Now”
Books on Hold at Library:
- Comics & Ideology, ed. McAllister, Sewell, and Gordon
- Comic Book Nation, Bradford Wright
- Reading Comics, Douglas Wolk
This course will focus on the reading of the contemporary graphic novel, a form with a voice made from the juxtaposition of visual art and text. Readings will focus on the unique demands this voice places on the reader, the writer/ artist and the story as well as how a form first known for pulp science fiction and melodrama now engages in “culture work” by telling stories about race, gender, addiction, sexuality, censorship, and terrorism. We will read such authors as Max Ernst, Frank Miller, Art Spiegleman, David Jamie, Gilbert Hernandez, Marjane Satrapi, Alison Bechdel, Joseph Loeb, Mark Millar, and Joe Sacco.
Students will investigate a genre of visual art and text that has largely been under represented in the academy but extremely influential in society at large. You will be encouraged to use outside critical analyses in their explorations of both text and society, while clearly mapping out how the graphic novel genre participates in relevant historical as well as socio-political themes of modern society.
Course Objectives:
- To expose students to graphic novels that reflect socio-political issues race, gender, class, etc.
- To identify common issues of concern within a culturally specific context
- To help students understand the socio-political historical context of the graphic novel genre
- To identify and assess the use of theme, narrative structure, characterization and other literary devices in articulating these issues and concerns
Course Requirements:
- Class Participation 10 points
- Journal 10 points
- Group presentation 15 points
- Midterm exam 15 points
- Final graphic novel (8 panel min.) and group essay 5- 7 pages 50 points
Total = 100 points
Journal: For this course, you will be required to keep a journal. Thus, for each text of the course, you are required to read at least one academic article either about the author or the text. Also, you must compose 1 critical analysis that discusses a topic that you have become interested in over the course of the semester. Then you must compose a 1 to 2 page critical analysis (double spaced) that discusses how the article that you read changed your understanding of the text or enhanced your understanding of a specific issue or theme of the text. Thus, your journal should be 5 critical writings (worth 2 pts each for a total of 10 pts final grade) and a minimum of 5 to 7 pages.
The grading criteria are as follows: Invention50%—does your analysis demonstrate a well thought out logical argument based on a specific thesis, Style 50%—does your analysis use appropriate MLA citation while conforming to the grammatical rules of Standard American English. Finally, you will turn in a copy of your critical analysis for each text the first day that we began discussing that text (see syllabus weekly schedule). These will not be returned to you; however, failure to turn in copies of your critical analysis on due dates will result in a 1pt deduction (each time) off of your final journal grade. Your complete journal will be due at the end of the semester (see syllabus weekly schedule). Also, a complete journal that includes all 5 journal entries is due the last day of class with the final essay.
Group presentations: These presentations should establish the socio-historical context of the text, while tracing a major theme(s) through the text. Also, be sure to ground your presentation within a theoretical framework. Finally, the group will be expected to lead class discussion for the entire period in which they are presenting; moreover, at a minimum the group will not to provide an in-class handout that clearly outlines there presentation.
Mid-term and Final examinations: The mid-term examination will only cover the material presenting up to that point, while the final examination will be a cumulative review and synthesis of the materials explored during the semester. If you have done the required reading, taken careful notes on all readings and class discussions, attended each class session, completed, and invested intellect, time, and energy in your assignments, and participated in class discussions you should do well on the examinations.
Midterm and Final Research Essay: For this class, students will develop their own topic for their essays. However, ideas for final essays must be approved by me.
Format: All essays must be in 12 point Times new Roman or 10pt Courier with one inch margins as well as correct MLA citation. Be sure to number the pages of your final essay
Completion and submission of assignments: Failure to submit preliminary drafts on schedule, to participate in scheduled peer evaluations, or to turn in all drafts and other materials that may be required with the final version of the essay, may result in significant grade reduction, even to the extent of a failing grade for the assignment.
All drafts/ revisions/ final drafts must be typed!!!!
Grading Scale: A = 100-93/ A- = 92-90/ B+ = 89-87/ B = 86-83/ B- = 82-80/ C+ = 79-77/ C =76-73/ C- = 72-70/ D+ = 69-67/ D = 66-63/ D- = 62-60/ F =59 and below.
Course Guidelines and Policies
Due Dates: Due dates will only be extended for excused absences only. No Exceptions!!!!
Late Work: Absolutely no late work will be accepted. All assignments are due at the beginning of class!!!
Office Hours: If you need to meet with me please sign up for my office hours. Each week a sheet will be posted outside of my office with available times. Meetings will be limited to 10 to 15 minutes only. Thus, make sure you come prepared.
Return of Assignments: Final versions of major assignments are returned within two weeks following the due date. Daily work is returned within a week. Students who miss classes when assignments are returned are responsible for collecting their own work during office my hours.
Attendance: Because English 378 relies on writing workshop methods, regular attendance is essential. Thus, I will be taking attendance. If you miss 2 or more classes your final grade will be reduced by 1 letter grade and ½ a letter grade for each class missed after that point.
Grades for class participation will be determined by the student’s participation in completing in class focus questions, short writing assignments, attendance, and peer reviews, etc...
Unsatisfactory on mid-semester reports: Students with a grade average of below 70 (C) will receive an unsatisfactory grade report at the mid-term.
Honor Pledge: Write the honor pledge and your signature on the back page of work submitted for evaluation.
Punctuality: Students are expected to come to class on time and stay for the whole period.