Graphic Novels and American Identities

Dr. Sonia Weiner

This course will explore various themes in the rapidly growing form of the graphic novel, such as identity, ethnicity and sexuality. We will examine the innovative spatial and temporal techniques used by the various authors, and consider the dialogue between form/aesthetics and content.

This course DOES NOT deal (directly) with super-hero comics or science fiction comics!!

Theoretical Texts will include works by Charles Hatfield, Scott McCloud, Thierry Groensteen, Will Eisner, Rocco Versaci, and others.

Tentative Reading List: Harvey Pekar, American Splendor; Gilbert Hernandez, Love and Rockets; Alison Bechdel, Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic Josh Neufeld, A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge; G.B. Tran, Vietnamerica, David Mazzucchelli, Asterios Polyp; Paul Auster, City of Glass (Adaptation by Paul Karasik and David Mazzucchelli).

In-Class Midterm – 40 %

Final Paper – 60%