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An overview of representative genres of the modern graphic novel, considering sequential art in light of theories of reception, adaptation and representation.
This paper offers a selection of representative genres of the modern graphic novel, including the woodcut novels of the early twentieth century, the superhero canon and intensely personal modern narratives. The graphic novel will be examined as a distinct literary and visual form, with its own critical vocabulary. We will consider the sequential art of the graphic novel in light of theories of reception, adaptation and representation, considering both its treatment and resistance of conventional literary forms.
| Paper title | Special Topic: Word and Image: The Graphic Novel |
|---|---|
| Paper code | ENGL251 |
| Subject | English |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2021 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $913.95 |
| International Tuition Fees (NZD) | $4,073.40 |
- Prerequisite
- 36 points
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Contact
To be advised when next offered
- More information link
- Teaching staff
To be advised when next offered
- Paper Structure
Modules:
- Module 1: The Graphic Tradition
- Module 2: Life Writing and Memorial Narrative
- Module 3: 'Lowbrow' Narrative
- Module 4: Crossovers, Mashups and Palimpsests
Assessment:
- Script Exercise: 10%
- Research Essay: 30%
- Final Exam: 60%
- Teaching Arrangements
Three 2-hour lectures per week
One 1-hour tutorial per week
One film screening per week
All teaching is undertaken on campus.- Textbooks
- Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud (Harper)
- God's Man by Lynd Ward (Dover)
- Blankets by Craig Thompson (Top Shelf)
- The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (Pantheon)
- In the Shadow of No Towers by Art Spiegelman (Viking)
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller (DC)
- The Unwritten (Vol. 1, 'Tommy Taylor and the Bogus Identity') by Mike Carey (Vertigo)
- Fables (Vol. 1, 'Legends in Exile') by Bill Willingham (Vertigo)
Note: Alternative editions of the above texts are acceptable.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking,
Cultural understanding, Information literacy.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
This paper will introduce students to the academic study of graphic narratives as literary texts. Students will
- Recognise and debate the personal, cultural, metaphorical and philosophical meanings in graphic novels
- Explore the theoretical and critical discourse of graphic narratives
- Develop skills in the design and critical analysis of visual texts
- Appreciate and accurately describe the complex interplay between text and image in sequential art
- Gain an appreciation of the historical evolution of narrative techniques specific to visual narrative
