LITR279

The Graphic Novel studies the rise and development of what some consider a "new" literary form: the graphic novel (or graphic narrative, or sequential art, or comic book). Of course, this "new" art form is at least a century old. In this course, we will consider the graphic narratives primarily as literary texts. Of course, graphic narratives are also works of visual art. Comics are filled with pictures, but these are not illustrations in the traditional sense--they are part of the language of the form. Students will need to negotiate two symbol systems--cartooning and language--and determine how they work together to create meaning. While many think of the graphic novel as an American form, it is an international phenomenon. We will read comics from around the globe and consider them in cultural, historical, and literary contexts. To help us with this analysis, students will also read works in theory and criticism, as well as traditional literary texts.