AJ14152 Graphic Novel: History, Analysis, Context

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2016
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus 2 credits for an exam). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Justin Robinson Hall (lecturer), Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Jana Chamonikolasová, Ph.D.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Supplier department: Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Wed 19:10–20:45 G12
Prerequisites (in Czech)
AJ09999 Qualifying Examination || AJ01002 Practical English II
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 8 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
Upon completion of the course, the students will be familiar with comics theory (ie. text/image relationships, panel transitions, narrative pacing, etc.) and be able to apply it to critically analyze graphic novels and other comics forms. In addition, the students will have an understanding of the rich history of American comics, from the early strips to the graphic novels and webcomics of today, and its context in the broader American culture. The students will also be making comics, and so will pick up some comics skills of their own!
Syllabus
  • This seminar is a survey of both the history and cultural context of the American comic and graphic novel, and also of the comics medium itself and how it functions. There will be extensive readings of graphic novels and selected shorter comics pieces, and students will be expected to make their own comics as well.

    Week 1: Course Introduction: What is a comic?
    Week 2: Text/Image Relationships
    Week 3: Panel Transitions
    Week 4: Page Layouts
    Week 5: Pacing
    Week 6: The Golden Age (Part I)
    Week 7: The Golden Age (Part II)
    Week 8: The Silver Age
    Week 9: The Modern Age
    Week 10: Underground Comix
    Week 11: Queer and Feminist Underground
    Week 12: Alternative Comics
Literature
  • American Born Chinese by Gene Yang
  • My New York Diary by Julie Doucet
  • Batman: Year One by Frank Miller and Dave Mazzucchelli
  • Black Hole by Charles Burns
  • One Hundred Demons by Lynda Barry
  • Dreams of a Rarebit Fiend by Windsor McCay
  • Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud
  • Stuck Rubber Baby by Howard Cruse
  • A Shoulder to Cry On by Phoebe Gloeckner
  • This One Summer by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki
  • Bodyworld by Dash Shaw
  • Acme Novelty Library by Chris Ware
  • Four Immigrant Manga by Henry Kiyama
  • Flies on the Ceiling (Love and Rockets) by Jaime Hernandez
  • The Appeal by Will Eisner
  • Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
  • Wonder Woman by Charles Moulton and Harry Peters
  • Bitch Planet #1 by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine DeLandro
Teaching methods
Most of the work in this class will be discussing the readings, so class participation is very important. There will also be a collaborative oral presentation and multiple comics assignments, along with short writing pieces based on the texts.

The graduate students will have an extra 5-page paper due at the end of the year.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
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