ARTH 311 Histories of the Graphic Novel

This course will explore the multifaceted development of the graphic novel as an artistic form. The term “graphic novel” may have been coined in 1964, but the form itself has reached its current state from a variety of historical and cultural developments. Topics covered will range from Tijuana Bibles to Jack Chick tracts, from Classics Illustrated to the “Black-and-white Boom” of the 1980s, and from underground comix to the New York Times bestseller list. Readings will be a mixture of comics and secondary literature. Students will gain an understanding the of various artistic movements, publishing strategies, and cultural discourses which have led to wide-ranging possibilities exhibited in the graphic novels of today.

Repeatable: N
Requirements Junior Standing or Above (JR)
Minimum Credits 3 Maximum Credits 3