Course Resources and Important Details

Primary Resources

The readings will be drawn from a variety of sources and will include complete texts, excerpts, scholarly articles, web-content, and supplemental readings. We will occasionally include other media (videos, podcasts) to supplement the readings. Many of the readings will be available electronically, though some full-length graphic novels will be required and need to be purchased.

  • Course texts:
    • Some texts will be available electronically through the University’s library
    • Those texts that are not available electronically will be placed on reserve at the library for time-limited use
      • Please be respectful of classmates who also wish to use materials placed on reserve and adhere to time-limits
    • Those texts that are not available electronically can also be purchased
  • Readings:
    • Most readings will be available electronically via Canvas
  • Scholarly articles:
    • Scholarly articles will be drawn from the health humanities and comic studies to provide a fuller understanding of some of the works and to aid in discussion 
  • Supplemental readings:
    • Supplemental readings will be provided to augment the primary readings with background, contextual, or in-depth information or examples
    • These are not required readings, but are available based on your interest in a particular topic. 

Additional Resources

  • The Graphic Medicine website is a great resource for news, reviews, multimedia, and general information about graphic medicine
  • Additional graphic medicine works available in the library can be found here
  • On making comics – we’ll use excerpts and exercises from these books during class 
  • On comics as a visual language
  • On different ways to tell a story
    • Madden, M. 99 Ways to Tell a Story: Exercises in Style. Chamberlain Bros., 2005. 
      • Available electronically through the library here
  • Early comics: Andy’s Early Comics Archive
  • Random comics-related resources:

Assignments

    • Sketchbook Assignments:

      • Students will do weekly drawing assignments based on the content explored each week. 
      • The drawings will be based on weekly prompts.
      • These assignments are intended to improve the students’ understanding of:
        • Comics as a medium for self-reflection, expression, and knowledge formation.
        • The technical and conceptual aspects of comics when put into practice.
      • These can be done in mediums of the students choosing in a sketchbook (loosely defined as a collection of paper)

    • Body Map

      • A body mapping exercise will allow students to use the comics medium to explore their relationship to aspects of their own bodies. This in-class project can be emotionally charged, so an environment of mutual support and respect is expected. 

    • Mid-Term Assignment:

      • A 1-2 page proposal for the final project.
      • The proposal should outline your final project and include your idea, your approach, and any questions that you may have about your idea. 
      • Due April 28th
        • Please submit as a Word document, ok to include initial sketches if you have them

    • Final Assignment:

      • The final project should incorporate various aspects of the course, including but not limited to such topics as comics as a medium, embodiment and the experience of illness, and autobiography and memory. 
        • We want you to choose a topic of particular interest to you and use the medium of comics to explore that topic – in zine form.
      • This assignment will consist of two components:
        • A Comic
          • This final comic should draw upon the themes and/or concepts addressed throughout the course.
          • Be creative with your use of the medium of comics, but your final comic will be submitted to us in zine form. 
        • Critical Analysis
          • 500-750 word analysis of how creating the comic and your use of the medium of comics contributed to knowledge formation about the topic(s) addressed in the comic
      • Final assignments should be approximately 8-10 pages.
        • Though creative works can be longer than 8-10 pages. 

  • Due Dates:

      • For graduating 4th years, final project is due May 26th? 
      • For all others, final project is due May 31st? 

Grading

Grading will broadly be based on attendance, participation throughout the course, and completion of assignments. The breakdown is as follows:

  • Attendance: 20%
  • Participation: 30%
  • Assignments: 50%
    • Sketchbook: 10%
    • Mid-term: 10%
    • Final: 30%

Attendance Policy

Since this is a seminar course with an emphasis on discussion and experiential learning, attendance at each class is mandatory.  Students may miss only two sessions and still be eligible for full credit for the course.  Students who know that they will miss a class should email the instructor in advance. 

Classroom Etiquette

The in-class time will be focused on discussion and sharing. Respect for your classmates and their opinions and privacy is expected to maintain a forum for open, contentious and collegial discussion and debate.  

Zoom Etiquette

  • For the synchronous components via Zoom, we expect that students will have their video ON (unless pre-arranged with the instructors)
  • Chat function will be used to augment and moderate discussion. 
    • Private chat has been disabled. 

Personal Health and Well-Being

Since this class will explore topics of a sensitive nature through the readings, discussion, and self-reflective exercises, if at any point you feel uncomfortable and/or that your health and well-being are threatened, you should immediately communicate this to the course instructors, who will maintain confidentiality and seek appropriate assistance.

Office Hours

Office hours can be made by email to the instructor(s).