Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division name: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
COURSE PREFIX & NUMBER: LITR 112
COURSE TITLE: Graphic Novels
DATE PREPARED: January 26, 2015
DATE REVIEWED:
DATE REVISED:
PCS/CIP/ID NO: 11-160104
IAI NO. (if available):
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS: August 2015
CREDIT HOURS:
3
CONTACT HOURS: 3
LECTURE HOURS: 3
LABORATORY HOURS: 0
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Prerequisites:
-
Placement at college level English OR
Concurrent enrollment in ENGL 99/101
AND
Placement at college level reading
This course is an introduction to the graphic novel, which is a more extended literary form of the
comic book. In this course, students will examine graphic works to gain an understanding of the
literary and artistic elements involved in this genre. Students also will read and discuss a number
of graphic novels, situating each in its historical, social and cultural context, as we work to gain a
deeper understanding of the genre and its place within literature as a whole.
TEXTBOOKS:
Suggested Informational/Historical Text:*
Either: McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. New York: William
Morrow Paperbacks, 1994.
Wolk, Douglas. Reading Comics: How Graphic Novels Work and What They Mean.
Boston: Da Capo Press, 2008.
Van Lente, Fred and Ryan Dunlavey. The Comic Book History of Comics. SanDiego:
IDW, 2012.
Some suggested texts are:*
Alan Moore’s Watchmen
Frank Miller’s The Batman: Dark Knight Returns
Chris Ware’s Jimmy Corrigan
Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home
Art Spieglman’s Complete Maus
Marjane Satrapi’s Embroideries
Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese
Neil Gaiman’s Sandman Series
Jeff Smith’s Complete Bone Series
Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist
*Or a comparable text that addresses at a minimum the topics listed in the Course Outline
and that provides students with the opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes for this
course.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
LITR 112 fulfills 3 of the semester hours of credit in Humanities/Fine Arts required for
the A.A. or A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education
Core Curriculum described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges
and universities participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic
advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to
www.iTransfer.org for information.
Learning Outcomes
Course Outcomes
1. Identify the major
characteristics of the
Graphic Novel genres.
2. Identify the major time
periods of the history of
Graphic Novels.
3. Explain the importance
of the social, political,
cultural, and historical
contexts of specific
Graphic texts.
4. Gain a deeper
understanding and
awareness of multiple
core values of different
cultures/societies
through the reading
Graphic texts.
5. Analyze and Identify
Graphic Novels for
cultural critiques present
in the texts.
6. Apply various scholarly
discussions and theories
of literature to interpret
course readings.
7. Define and apply formal
elements of literature and
sequential art through
both written and verbal
discussions.
8. Dialogue creatively and
critically about Graphic
texts’ role and
importance.
9. Write various types of
coherent, focused, and
well developed literary
discussions after careful
reflection of choices
made.
Essential
Competencies
Program
Outcomes (POS)
PO1
PO2
PO5
Essays
PO4
PO1
PO3
PO2
CO3
PO3
DI2
CT4
Class discussion,
Quizzes, Reader
Response Journals,
Research projects,
Student
presentations,
PO1
DI1
Range of
Assessment
Methods
PO2
PO3
PO5
PO6
CO 3- Students listen in order to comprehend information, critique and evaluate a
message, show empathy for the feelings expressed by others, and/or appreciate a
performance
CT 4- Students actively reflect on their answer, approach, or solution and act upon those
reflections to improve the final result
DI1- Students are receptive to beliefs and values different from their own
DI 2- Students consider the views of others in light of those persons’ experiences and
particular understandings
PO1- Identify and describe course-relevant events in literary history
PO2- Analyze and evaluate course-relevant literary elements
PO3- Demonstrate receptivity to perspectives of others by questioning and responding to
those perspectives respectfully and productively
PO4- Describe and discuss how author and reader identities affect the writing & reading
of texts
PO5- Write about texts for multiple purposes including (but not limited to) interpretation,
synthesis, response, summary, critique, & analysis
PO6- Contribute, through writing, their own ideas & opinions about a topic to an ongoing
conversation in ways that are appropriate to the context
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
The course may be organized based on time periods or themes.
1. How to Read a Work of Sequential Art
2. History of Comics
3. Early Days of Graphic Novels
4. Rise of Graphic Novels
5. Graphic Novels Inclusion in Academia
6. Female Characters and Women Writers
7. Superheroes
8. Autobiography
9. Manga
10. What’s Left? Everything Else
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
The final grade will be determined using the following criteria.
Written Final Paper
Class Participation/Discussions
Scholarly Journal Group Presentations
Graphic Novel Presentation
Online Posts
40%
20%
15%
15%
10%
Final Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
A = 90-100 %
B = 80-89 %
C = 70-79 %
D = 60-69 %
F = Below 60%
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
This course requires a minimum of 3000 word (10 pages) final writing (formal and informal
structure and layout) assignment with the inclusion of secondary research.
Minimum required readings of approximately 20 pages per week include literary criticism,
scholarly journal articles and novels (keeping in mind a page in a graphic novel is a lot different
than a page in a traditional novel).*
*All estimates based on a 16 week course schedule. Please note if your class is not a 16 week class your
weekly reading assignment will be increased.