Syllabus

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Graphic Novel (Art 376/ Creative Writing 395)

Semester: Fall 2007
Instructor: Philip Heimes
Teaching Assistants: McKenneth Blue and Kate Bolen
Class and Lab Times:
Mondays, 3:00 p.m. to 5:05 p.m. in 107A Lanigan Hall
Mondays, 5:15 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. in 34 Lanigan Hall
Wednesdays, 5:15 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. in 34 Lanigan Hall
Office Hours: Mondays, 1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., 3rd floor, Poucher Hall or by appointment
Contact Info:
Please email Philip at philipheimes@mac.com
Email Kate at cakebolen@yahoo.com
Email McKenneth at mgwblue@gmail.com

Course Description

This course is a hands-on engagement with graphic literature, exploring the integration of graphics and the written word to produce visual forms of literature. Students will examine theories of sequential art and will work with photography, found visual materials, and basic illustration to develop themes and narratives from their chosen written format (poetry, essay, memoir, etc.). The course will be taught in a media lab environment that will allow students to present and work on projects in a collaborative manner.

Main Texts

The following texts are available for purchase at the University bookstore:

Bendis, Brian Michael and Marc Andreyko. Torso (Image Comics, 2001).
Gaiman, Neil and Dave McKean. The Wolves in the Walls (Harper Trophy, reprint edition, 2005).
McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics (Harper Paperbacks, 1994).
Moore, Alan and Dave Gibbons. Watchmen (DC Comics, 1995).
Thompson, Craig. Blankets (Top Shelf Productions, 2003).
Spiegelman, Art. Maus (Pantheon, 1993).
Vaughan, Brian K. and Niko. The Pride of Baghdad (Vertigo, 2006).

Additional course materials will be made available for download on the course website at www.philipheimes.com.

Course Requirements

The course will combine lecture, class discussion and lab work. You are expected to complete the assigned readings prior to each week for which they are assigned. Also, there will be weekly lab projects for which you are responsible for bringing to the class session any materials necessary for you to complete the lab work (e.g. materials to scan, photographs, artwork, digital files, etc.). Note that the lectures will elaborate upon course readings, often covering topics not covered in the reading assignments. You are responsible for integrating information from both readings and lectures into your assignments. Specific requirements and the grading system are described below. If you have a disabling condition that may interfere with your ability to successfully complete this course, please contact the Disability Services Office.

Note on Content of the Course: As part of this course, students will view and read materials that address issues sensitive to some, including sex, sexuality, violence, death, crime, and racism. The class is discussion based, and therefore we will be discussing these issues openly.

Note from Committee on Intellectual Integrity: Intellectual integrity on the part of all students is basic to individual growth and development through college course work. When academic dishonesty occurs, the teaching/learning climate is seriously undermined and student growth and development are impeded. For these reasons, any form of intellectual dishonesty is a serious concern and is therefore prohibited.

Attendance: (10 percent of final grade) Attendance at lectures and labs is mandatory. You are allowed one unexcused absence from lecture and one from labs. Please note that the University only Absences due to illness, family emergency or other reasonable situations must be verified with appropriate documentation (please see the university student handbook). The participation grade will be based upon your participation in class conversation and working with your peers on projects during labs.

Main Assignments

Three Free Writes – At the beginning of three lectures, you will be asked to write about the week’s reading assignment. These are open, free writes that will be graded for demonstration of your knowledge of the text assigned. (5 points each for 15 percent of final grade.)

The Game — This assignment is intended to help you learn how to utilize panels to show the passage of time. You will be provided with a series of photographs of people and toy figures that you will then manipulate to create a “game” scenario. The assignment will be handed out in week 4, and it will be due at the beginning of class week 6. (10 percent of final grade.)

The Maus Project — You will create a short comic inspired by Maus, the graphic novel by Art Spiegelman. Take an aspect of the book, an idea generated from reading it, etc., to develop your own short comic. The assignment will be started in class during week 6 and due at the beginning of class week 9. (15 percent of final grade.)

Create Your Own Superhero — Create your own superhero with a name, secret identity, friends/colleagues, love interest, costume, origin story, superpowers and scientific/pseudo-scientific explanation, sidekick (if appropriate), and super foes. This will be primarily a writing assignment, with the only graphic element required being a sketch of your superhero (no matter how rough). You are encouraged to develop additional graphic elements if you so choose. This assignment will be started in class during week 9 and will be due at the beginning of class week 11. (15 percent of final grade.)

Memoir — We will work on this assignment throughout the course, and it will be due on December 14th. You will create the first chapter in a graphic novel that presents a memoir—yours or a fictional memoir for a character of your creation. You will be expected to integrate the theory and practical skills learned throughout the course.

• Proposal due week 4. The proposal should be a “pitch to the publisher." Optional: bring in the soundtrack for your graphic novel.
• Midterm presentation to professor due week 7. Students will meet with the professor individually during this week to review the progress on their project.
• Workshop presentation during weeks 12-14.
• Final project due electronic and/or print by Decemer 14th
• 35 percent of final grade.

Course Schedule

Week 1: Course Introduction

Topics: What are comics? What is a graphic novel? Brief overview of the history of comics.
Assignments: None

Week 2: The Language of Comic Books

Topics: Icons and Symbols, pictorial vocabulary and sequential art, the picture plane.
Assignments: Understanding Comics, Chapter 1; Wolves in the Walls

Week 3: Narrative Timing and Closure

Topics: What triggers closure, comics and closure, analysis of Sin City (film and graphic novel).
Assignments: Understanding Comics, Chapter 2; Bone (read any chapter); Kingdom Come (read any chapter)

Week 4: The Passage of Time

Topics: How panels and frames work, time and space.
Assignments: Understanding Comics, Chapters 3 & 4; Torso

Week 5: The Language of Lines & Colors

Topics: Use of lines and colors to present mood and feelings.
Assignments: Understanding Comics, Chapters 5 & 8

Week 6: Maus

Topics: Discussion of Maus.
Assignments: Understanding Comics, Chapters 6 & 9; Maus

Week 7: Memoirs & “Alternative Comics”

Topics: Comparative analysis of graphic memoirs.
Assignments: Blankets

Week 8: Funny Animals

Topics: Anthropomorphic comics, the influence of Animal Farm and Watership Down on anthropomorphic comics from The Lion King to Mouse Guard.
Assignments: Pride of Baghdad

Week 9: Tights & Trenchcoats

Topics: The history, concept and evolution of the superhero concept from Action Comics to NBC’s Heroes.
Assignments: Watchmen

Week 10: The Infinite Canvas

Topics: The power and possibilities of web comics.
Assignments: When I Am King (www.demign5.com/king/wiak.htm)

Week 11: The “Graphic” Graphic Novel

Topics: Guest lecture by Dr. Bennet Schaber.
Assignments: Lost Girls

Weeks 12 to 14: Workshops of final projects