ENGL 1100 Diversity & Popular US Literature: Graphic Novels and Diversity
Spring 2013
Monday/Wednesday 1:00-2:20
AD 242
Instructor: Brandon Alva
Email: brandon.alva@gmail.com
Office Hours: TBA
Office: CT 097
Phone number: 801-957-4815
Course Description
This course looks at the notion of diversity through graphic novels and other texts that have strong
visual elements. We will explore how we understand and accommodate human difference often
engaging with various and sometimes conflicting definitions of nationality, race, class, gender, sexual
orientation, religion, ability, and language. We will also examine the various ways writers have
responded to racism, sexism, and cultural imperialism in order to build or define unique identities and
negotiate between the powered and the disempowered.
Disclaimer on Course Content
Some of the material we cover in this class will be sensitive, controversial, and/or divisive in nature.
Race, class, religion and sexuality will be discussed in a number of the texts you will read this
semester. The views expressed in these texts are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily
reflect the views of your instructor or the college. You should also be aware that because these texts are
in comic format (pictures and words) and there will literally be graphic depictions of human sexuality.
If this will be upsetting to you, perhaps you should consider taking another course.
Attendance
Because attendance is vital to learning and to the class, any student who misses seven or more classes
will fail this course. Students are allowed to miss up to three classes without it affecting their grade.
Upon the fourth missed class the student’s grade will be penalized. If you have a medical condition that
requires you to miss class then you need to register with disability resources and bring the instructor
documentation. If you are late to class, it is your responsibility to speak to the instructor to ensure
you were marked late and not absent. Three lates equals one absence. Note that personal conferences
with the instructor count for two classes. You will receive credit for one class for attending the
conference and you will receive credit for the other class by having a complete draft of the assignment
being reviewed.
Plagiarism
Merriam Webster’s defines plagiarize: “to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s
own.” The instructor reserves the right to fail any student caught plagiarizing. You must give credit for
any information or idea not your own which is also not common knowledge. Always use proper
citation. Any passage which you copy word for word must be clearly set apart with quotation marks or
block quotations.
Late work
Any assignment turned in late will be penalized a full letter grade for each class period it is late. Late
assignments turned in between class periods will be penalized a partial letter grade. Note: It is the
student’s responsibly to keep a saved electronic copy of each assignment.
Book List
To be bought at the school bookstore:
Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud
To be bought from Amazon.com or another retailer:
Maus I by Art Spiegelman
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
One of the following your choice books: Maus II, Persepolis II, Short Comings, Safe Area Gorazde,
Stitches, The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance, Epileptic
Note: Books bought directly from Amazon come with free shipping if your purchase totals $25 or more
while books bought from individual sellers have a $3.99 each shipping fee. It may be less expensive to
buy all your books directly from Amazon.
Due Dates
02/06 Genre Imitation Narrative #1
02/27 Genre Imitation Narrative #2
03/20 Analytical Paper #1 & Genre Imitation Diversity Memoir Proposal
04/08 Final Genre Imitation Diversity Memoir
04/17 Analytical Paper #2
05/06 Final Portfolio
Lead Discussion: Each student will have the opportunity to lead the class discussion. Early in the
semester you will sign up for a date and you will be responsible for leading a 15 minute discussion of
the reading.
Grading*
Analytical Papers 1 & 2 (25 points each)
50 points
Grade Scale
Analytical Paper 3
15 Points
A 350-329
C- 255-245
Reading Quizzes
15 points
A- 328-315
D+ 244-235
2 Genre Imitation Narratives (15 points each)
30 points
B+ 314-35
D 234-221
E-Portfolio & Reflection and Book Review (20
40 points
B 304-291
D- 220-210
points each)
Genre Imitation Diversity Memoir
50 points
B- 290-280
E 209-0
Final Analytical Paper
50 points
C+ 279-270
Reading Journal
50 points
C 269-256
(10 entries @ 5 points each)
Lead Class Discussion
50 points
Total
350 points
*The instructor reserves the right to alter the grade scale to include more and more heavily
weighted reading quizzes. This will be done if the instructor feels that class discussion of the
reading does not demonstrate a thorough engagement with the assigned texts.
Class Schedule
Please bring the necessary reading materials & books to class.
Date
In class
Homework
Mon 01/14
Go over class syllabus and policies.
Introduce graphic novels and
diversity. Play where do you stand
on diversity issues.
Print In-class readings for Group #1 found on
Canvas (People Like Us and Why Diversity
Matters)
Reading: Understanding Comics Chapters 1
&2
Wed 01/16
Read and Discuss Diversity readings
from Group #1. Discuss
Understanding Comics. Sign up for
Lead Discussion.
Print and read the reading for Group #2
found on Canvas (Demystifying
Multiculturalism & Self Fulfilling Stereo
Types)
Reading: Understanding Comics Chapter 3
Mon 01/21
MLK Day. No Class
Wed 01/23
Quiz on readings.
Discuss readings from Group #2.
Discuss Understanding Comics.
Reading: Understanding Comics Chapters 4-6
Mon 01/28
Reading quiz on analyzing comics
using McCloud’s pyramid, panel
transitions and other techniques.
Reading: Maus I Prologue, Chapters 1-2 (pgs.
5-40)
Wed 01/30
Work on Genre Imitation Narrative ##1
Reading Journal Check #1
Visit Computer Lab to learn how to Print Nazi Propaganda reading (on Canvas)
use Strip Generator & Bit Strips.
Reading: Maus I Chapter 3 (pgs. 41-69)
Introduce Genre Imitation Narrative.
Mon 02/04
Read and discuss Anti-Semitic, Nazi Finish Genre Imitation Narrative #1
Propaganda. Discuss Maus I.
Reading: Maus I Chapter 4 (pgs. 71-93)
Wed 02/06
Genre Imitation Narrative #1 Due Reading: Maus I Chapter 5 (pgs. 95-127)
Discuss history of Anti-Semitism in
the U.S. and Europe. Listen to Father
Coughlin broadcast.
Mon 02/11
Reading Journal Check #2
Discuss Maus I. Discuss taking
photos for Comics Life.
Wed 02/13
Conclude class discussion of Maus I. Reading: Persepolis (The Veil, The Bicycle,
The Water Cell, Persepolis)
Mon 02/18
President's Day. No class
Wed 02/20
Visit Computer Lab to learn how to
use Comics Life. Introduce Genre
Imitation Memoir Proposal.
Reading and work on Genre Imitation Comic
#2
Reading: Persepolis (The Letter, The Party,
The Heroes, Moscow)
Mon 02/25
Reading Journal Check #3
Finish Diversity Comic #2 . Print “Ground
Finish Maus I.
Reading: Maus I Chapter 6 (pgs. 129-159)
Date
In class
Homework
Listen to “A Tale of Two U.S.
Zero Mosque.” from Canvas.
Muslim Women: To Cover or Not?” Reading: Persepolis (The Sheep, The Trip,
Discuss Muslim Immigrant
The F-14’s)
experience. Discuss Persepolis.
Wed 02/27
Genre Imitation Comic #2 Due
Discuss “Ground Zero Mosque” by
Newt Gingrinch and watch related
news clips. Look at Prompts for
Analytical Paper #1.
Begin drafting Analytical Paper #1. Bring
outline to next class.
Reading: Persepolis (The Jewels, The Key,
The Wine, The Cigarette)
Mon 03/04
Reading Journal Check #4
Peer Review outline of Analytical
Paper #1. Discuss Persepolis. Signup for Personal Conferences and
discuss Genre Imitation Memoir
Proposal
Finish drafting Response Paper #1, Write
Genre Imitation Memoir Proposal
Reading: Persepolis (The Passport, Kim
Wilde, The Shabbat, The Dowry)
Wed 03/06
Personal Conference
Revise Analytical Paper #1, Write Genre
Imitation Memoir Proposal
Reading: The Absolutely True Diary of a
Part-Time Indian (pgs. 1-66)
Mon 03/11
Personal Conference
Revise Analytical Paper #1, Write Genre
Imitation Memoir Proposal
Reading: The Absolutely True Diary of a
Part-Time Indian (pgs. 67-98)
Wed 03/13
Analytical Paper #1 & Genre
Imitation Memoir Proposal Due
Reading Journal Check #5
Listen to Sherman Alexie Reading
and discuss Native American
experience in the novel.
Reading: The Absolutely True Diary of a
Part-Time Indian (pgs. 99-129)
Mon 03/18
Spring Break. No class
Reading: The Absolutely True Diary of a
Part-Time Indian (pgs. 130-149)
Wed 03/20
Spring Break. No class
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time
Indian (pgs. 150-198)
Mon 03/25
Visit Computer Lab to work on
Genre Imitation Memoir
Finish Genre Imitation Memoir. Bring two
copies to next class for Peer Review.
Reading: The Absolutely True Diary of a
Part-Time Indian (pgs. 199-230)
Wed 03/27
Work on Genre Imitation Memoir
Reading Journal Check #6
Peer Review Genre Imitation
Reading: American Born Chinese pgs. 1-52
Memoir and discuss E-Portfolio and
Reflection. Discuss The Absolutely
True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
Introduce American Born Chinese.
Date
In class
Homework
Sign up for personal conferences.
Mon 04/01
Personal Conferences/Computer Lab Finish Genre Imitation Memoir
Work Day
Reading: American Born Chinese pgs. 53-160
Wed 04/03
Personal Conferences/Computer Lab Finish Genre Imitation Memoir
Work Day
Reading: American Born Chinese pgs. 161233
Mon 04/08
Begin Drafting Analytical Paper #2
Genre Imitation Memoir Due
Discuss Absolutely True Diary &
Reading: Fun Home (Old Father, Old
American Born Chinese and Discuss Artificer)
Prompts for Analytical Paper #2.
Wed 04/10
Reading Journal Check #7
Introduce Final Analytical Paper and
Your Choice Books. Look at
assignment and begin brainstorming.
Complete Draft of Analytical Paper #2. Bring
two copies to next class for Peer Review.
Reading: Fun Home (A Happy Death, That
Old Catastrophe)
Mon 04/15
Peer Review Analytical Paper #2
Finish Analytical Paper #2
Reading: Fun Home (In the Shadow of Young
Girls in Flower)
Wed 04/17
Response Paper #2 Due
Introduce Analytical Paper #3 and
report Your Choice Book
Print “Suicide surge” from course webpage
Reading: Fun Home (The Canary-Colored
Caravan of Death)
Mon 04/22
Reading Journal Check #8
Read “Suicide surge: Schools
confront anti-gay bullying” and
Watch “It Gets Better” Campaign
Videos
Reading, print example book reviews off
course webpage, work on Analytical Paper
Reading: Fun Home (The Ideal Husband)
Wed 04/24
Look at example book reviews,
discuses Fun Home and sign up for
Personal Conferences
Work on Analytical Paper
Reading: Fun Home (The Anti-hero’s
Journey)
Mon 04/29
Personal Conference
Reading Journal Check #9
Work on Analytical Paper
Reading: Your Choice (Maus II, Persepolis
II, Short Comings, Safe Area Gorazde,
Stitches, The New York Regional Mormon
Singles Halloween Dance, Epileptic)
Wed 05/01
Personal Conference
Work on Analytical Paper
Reading: Your Choice (Maus II, Persepolis
II, Short Comings, Safe Area Gorazde,
Stitches, The New York Regional Mormon
Singles Halloween Dance, Epileptic)
Mon 05/06
Final Due
Date
In class
Reading Journal Check #10
Homework