English 309: Graphic Novels and Comics

Alfred Bendixen, Ph.D.

 

An exploration of comics and the graphic novel with particular attention to the ways specific works combine visual imagery and language to enlarge the possibilities of narrative form.  Through our analysis of highly acclaimed graphic memoirs as well as popular comics involving superheroes, talking animals, and American teenagers, we will develop strategies for interpreting and evaluating the cultural significance and aesthetic quality of narratives based on sequential art. 

Reading/Writing Assignments:  Approximately 250-400 pages of graphic material each week. Three papers and a take-home final exam.

 

Requirements/Grading:

Take Home Final Exam - 25%

Two Short Papers - 30%; each paper worth 15% and about 4-6 typed pages.

Term Paper - 30%; 8-10 typed pages.

Class/Precept Participation - 15%

Restrictions:  Not open to Freshmen.

 

Required Texts:

Matt Madden, 99 Ways to Tell a Story (2005)

Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes: The Tenth Anniversary Book (1995)

Jason, The Left Bank Gang (2005)

Art Spiegelman, Complete Maus (1980-1991)

Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams, Green Arrow/Green Lantern (1970s)

Marjane Satrapi, The Complete Persepolis (2000-2003)

Frank Miller, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (1986)

Neil Gaiman, Sandman, Vol 2 (1989)

Alan Moore, Watchmen (1986-7)

Lynda Barry, 100 Demons (2002)

Alison Bechdel, Fun Home (2006)

Eiichiro Oda, One Piece, Vol 1 (1997)

Gene LuenYang, American Born Chinese (2008)

 

Sept. 16   Introduction: Matt Madden, 99 Ways to Tell a Story (2005)

Sign up for precept sections which begin Sep 21.  Bring 99 Ways to Tell a Story to first precept.

Sept. 21   Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes: The Tenth Anniversary Book (1995)

         23   reread 99 Ways to Tell a Story

Sept. 28   Jason, The Left Bank Gang (2005)

Sept. 30   Art Spiegelman, Complete Maus (1980-1991); Read Part 1

Oct.    5   Maus  Read Part 2

           7   Maus

Oct.   12   Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams, Green Arrow/Green Lantern (1970s)

          14   Green Arrow/Green Lantern

1st due date for short paper.

Oct.  19  Satrapi, The Complete Persepolis (2000-2003):  Part 1

         21  Persepolis:  Part 2

Oct.  26  Frank Miller, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (1986)

         28  The Dark Knight Returns

Fall Recess

Nov.  9   Neil Gaiman, Sandman, Vol 2 (1989)

         11  Sandman

Nov  16   Alan Moore, Watchmen (1986-7)

         18   Watchmen

Second due date for short paper.

Nov.  23   Watchmen

Thanksgiving

Nov.  30   Lynda Barry, 100 Demons (2002)

Dec     2   Alison Bechdel, Fun Home (2006)

Dec.  7   Fun Home

          9  Eiichiro Oda,  One Piece (1997)

Third due date for short paper.

Dec.  14  Gene LuenYang, American Born Chinese (2008)

         16  American Born Chinese

Long Essay:  Due January 8 (note that this is the Friday before dean’s date).

Take Home Final Exam: Due January 15.

 

Paper assignments:  60 Percent of your final grade will be based on your writing assignments. 

    Two Short Papers - 30%; each paper worth 15% and about 4-6 typed pages.

    Term Paper -30%; 8-10 typed pages.

 

Short Paper Assignments:  Each short Paper is worth 15% and you must write at least two papers on at least two of the topics below. You may write as many as three papers if you wish and the two best grades will count, but you must hand them in on separate due dates and you may not hand in more than one paper on each due date.

Each paper should be about 4-6 typed double spaced pages (1,000-1,500 words).  It is all right if one of the papers is a bit longer than that – provided that the paper does not suffer from wordiness.  It is not all right to hand in a paper that is substantially shorter than 1,000 words.

 

Paper Topic 1:   Provide a literary analysis of some aspect of one of the texts we have read in class.  You might choose to focus on the development of the protagonist or narrator or the creation of setting or fusion of written language and visual imagery or on an exploration of some central theme or technique.  You must have a focus and develop a clear thesis with a close analysis of the details of the text.

Paper Topic 2:   Compare and Contrast two of the texts we have read this semester.  You must develop a thesis and a central argument by providing a close analysis of the details of these texts.  In most cases, this assignment will require you to choose a careful focus.  For instance, you might wish to focus your essay on a comparison of the depiction of anthropomorphic animals in two works; or on the use of setting; or on the methods of characterization. 

Paper Topic 3: Provide a detailed analysis of one panel or one page or one scene in any graphic narrative.  Your analysis should explore the ways in which visual imagery and language create meaning.

Paper Topic 4:  Provide a paper comparing two pieces of work by the same author or two parts of the same text.  For instance, you can provide a deep analysis of one of the pieces in 99 Ways to Tell a Story that compares that page with the template in that book; or a comparison of one of the early strips by Bill Watterson with one of his later ones; or a comparison of two pages from The Left Bank Gang or Maus. For instance, it might be useful to compare/contrast the opening and closing pages of a book or section of a book.  In short, this assignment enables you to explore the underlying structure of a graphic novel.

Paper Topic 5:  Write a paper arguing that I should add a specific graphic narrative to the syllabus of this course.  Your goal is to persuade me that a specific text and author merits serious attention and will add something important to this course.

Paper Topic 6:  Produce your own comic and then provide an analysis (about 500 words or more) explaining how your work reflects ideas, themes, and techniques developed in this course.  Your comic may be hand drawn or you may use the current technologies available to those who understand digital drawing and programs such as Illustrator.  Your comic may be as short as a single one page panel or contain several pages of strips. Your grade will be based on both your comic and your analysis of it, which should provide a detailed account of your choice of style and technique as well as theme.

Term Paper:  Your term paper may be a substantial revision and expansion of one of your short papers (except for the creative assignment, topic 6) or a completely new paper on one of the topics above or on a topic chosen in consultation with your preceptor.

 

Alfred Bendixen, Princeton University