| Multiculturalism and the Graphic Novel - Syllabus |
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| Instructor: Jeff Houldsworth
Contact Information E-Mail: [email protected] Telephone: 965-3931 ex 2290 Office Hours: vary by semester Course Description: Multiculturalism and the Graphic Novel is an in-depth look at two aspects of literature that are quickly rising to a place of prominence in today�s culture. The purpose of the course is to provide students with a look at multicultural literature while introducing them to the graphic novel form. This class has been structured to include several different types of reading from fictional to biographical and educational to professional. In this class we will examine a wide variety of texts including young adult novels, professional essays and articles, and visual or graphic novels. In addition to a wide variety of texts, we will also be approaching this class from a variety of cultural perspectives. We will be looking at literature that reflects people from several different cultures and social classes. Students will also have the opportunity to explore other cultural texts over the course of the semester to contribute to the diversity of the class experience. By the end of the class, we will have explored many social and cultural aspects of a variety of people from our world. Along with a variety of multicultural texts, this course functions as an introduction to the graphic novel. This course will explore the literary form of the visual text, along with its relevance and usefulness to today�s culture. Make no mistake, the graphic novel is a very powerful and increasingly popular form of literature that can do things that some modern literature cannot do. The graphic novel is rising to prominence along with other forms of alternative literature. Multiculturalism and the Graphic Novel has been designed with undergraduate level English and literature requirements in mind. Requirements for this course include regular writing activities which may include short weekly essays, electronic conferencing, and scholarly papers; daily and weekly readings of both recreational and scholarly texts; as well as various projects and test assessments throughout the semester. Students will be challenged and most certainly intrigued by the subjects and material that will be explored in the coming weeks. Required Class Reading: Multicultural Novels: No-No Boy by John Okada Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosely Graphic Novels: Maus by Art Spiegelman Palestine by Joe Sacco Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughn, Illustrated by Niko Henrichon The Watchmen by Alan Moore Selections and Articles from Other Texts: Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud "Interrogating 'Whiteness,' (De) Constructing 'Race'" by AnnLouise Keating "Issues in Selecting Multicultural Literature" by Junko Yakota "Who Watches the Watchmen?: Idealogy and 'Real World' Superheroes" by Jamie A. Hughes "Constructing Ethnicity: Creating and Recreating Ethnic Identity and Culture " by Joane Nagel * In addition to the required class readings, each student will be required to select another multicultural text to read, analyze, and present. Students may select a text from the recommended reading list, or may seek approval for a text of their choice. The text should not be too short and must meet the multicultural standards of the course. Assignments and Grading Regular Attendance and Participation 10% Online Conferencing on (Nicenet) 10% Midterm Exam 20% MySpace/Web Page Project 10% Independent Literature Presentation 15% Final Paper 15% Final Exam 20% Weekly Class Schedule |