College Seminar (105-7-21)

Topic

The Great American Graphic Novel

Instructors

Megan Geigner
847/491-4969
555 Clark ST, #202

Meeting Info

University Hall 418: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

The Great American Graphic Novel explores the representation of the multiple perspectives of the American experience and US history through popular graphic novels. The central question of this seminar is: How do graphic novels and comics illustrate American identity? Through a robust reading schedule (comics read fast, so we can read many of them!), we will encounter unique and varied views on the themes of religion, (dis)ability, immigration, race, ethnicity, sexuality, age, and citizenship, and how those ideas have changed conceptions of Americanness over time. Students will enhance their reading of examples of multiple subgenres of the form-superhero comics, graphic nonfiction, web comics, and all ages comics-with scholarly, journalistic, and popular culture criticism.
This seminar transitions students into college-level inquiry and into being conscientious and ethical members of a learning community composed of diverse perspectives. Students will demonstrate their new knowledge about graphic novels and comics and American identity through drafting and revising journal entries, analytical papers, and creative assignments.

Class Materials (Required)

Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by ‎Scott McCloud ISBN: 978-0060976255
Maus: A Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman ISBN: 978-0679406419
The March by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell. ISBN: 9781603093958;
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang ISBN: 978-1-59643-152-2
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel ISBN: 9780618871711
My Black Friend by Ben Passmore ISBN 978-1945509032
Blankets by Craig Thompson ISBN: 978-1770462182
Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier ISBN: 978-1338801903
Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona ISBN: 9780785190219

Class Attributes

WCAS College Seminar
Freshmen Only

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.
Add Consent: Department Consent Required
Drop Consent: Department Consent Required