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This course is designed to introduce students to the genre of graphic novels. Required readings represent both Eastern and Western comics traditions, and range in publication dates from around 1930 through the 21st century. Looking at these primary texts alongside an important critical work (Understanding Comics), students will learn to identify the key components of graphic narrative—including technical aspects of visual storytelling as well as more traditional elements of prose narrative—and how they work together to form a graphic narrative. Students will also be asked to identify the major themes addressed by the genre over time, and to evaluate the ways in which those themes, and the ways they are addressed, have changed.

This course is designed to introduce students to the genre of graphic novels. Required readings represent both Eastern and Western comics traditions, and range in publication dates from around 1930 through the 21st century. Looking at these primary texts alongside an important critical work (Understanding Comics), students will learn to identify the key components of graphic narrative—including technical aspects of visual storytelling as well as more traditional elements of prose narrative—and how they work together to form a graphic narrative. Students will also be asked to identify the major themes addressed by the genre over time, and to evaluate the ways in which those themes, and the ways they are addressed, have changed.