This course will introduce students to the comics medium through a variety of genres. Through reading, researching, and responding to graphic narratives, students will develop a critical vocabulary for understanding graphic narratives and explore the intersections between literary genres and narrative form. (3 hours)

• DeConnick, Kelly Sue. Bitch Planet Vol. 1: Extraordinary Machine. Image Comics, 2015. ISBN: 9781632153661
• DeConnick, Kelly Sue. Bitch Planet Vol. 2: President Bitch. Image Comics, 2017. ISBN: 9781632157171
• Eisner, Wil. A Contract with God. Norton, 2006. ISBN: 9780393328042
• Gaiman, Neil. The Sandman Vol.1: Preludes and Nocturnes. DC Comics/Vertigo, 2010. ISBN: 9781401284770
• Gaiman, Neil. The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll’s House. DC Comics/Vertigo, 2010. ISBN: 9781401227999
• McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. William Marrow Paperbacks, 1994. ISBN: 9780060976255
• Moore, Alan. Watchmen. DC Comics, 2014. ISBN: 9781401245252
• North, Ryan. The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Vol. 1: Squirrel Power. Marvel, 2015. ISBN: 9780785197027
• Spiegelman, Art. The Complete Maus. Pantheon, 1996. ISBN: 9780679406419

• Students will develop a formalist understanding of the graphic narrative medium.
• Students will analyze and evaluate a variety of comic forms and literary genres.
• Students will draw on historical and cultural contexts in examining graphic narratives.
• Students will compose effective texts in both prose and graphic narrative formats.