Graphic Narratives

Subject CWRI40011 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Admission to the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Arts (Creative Writing), fourth year honours in Creative Writing or the Masters in Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Grant Caldwell

Contact

Grant Caldwell

cal@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: Students will read graphic fiction and non-fiction with a focus on 20th century writers such as Robert Crumb, Art Spiegelman, Alison Bechdel, Chris Ware, Marjane Satrapi, Charles Burns, Bruce Mutard and Shaun Tan. Students will also read into comics theory, cultural theory, and contemporary criticism of the genre, and discuss the history and innovations of this emerging field of writing practice. Students will work to produce their own original graphic narrative: this can be fictional, autobiographical, biographical or journalistic. Guest tutors will present intensive workshops on drawing and storyboarding; no prior artistic experience is required.
Objectives:

Students who complete this subject will be able to:

  • apply advanced theoretical, aesthetic and analytic skills to interpreting critical and creative texts;
  • tackle new problems in the production of graphic narratives with confidence and openness to contemporary artistic directions;
  • have a sound working knowledge of the history and contemporary directions of the emerging genre of the graphic narrative;
  • participate effectively in group discussions and collaborative learning; and
  • demonstrate an understanding of the wider public significance of their knowledge and skills.
Assessment: An oral presentation on one of the weekly topics equivalent to 500 words (10%); an essay on a topic relating to comics theory, cultural theory, or graphic fiction criticism, 2000 words, (40%) due mid-semester; a short piece of original graphic narrative of 10-15 pages eqivalent to 2500 words (50%) due at the end of the semester. Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. All required written work must be submitted in order to pass the subject.
Prescribed Texts:
  • An electronic booklet of graphic narratives
  • A subject Reader of critical essays and articles will be available from the University Bookshop
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject will acquire skills in:

  • critical thinking and analysis;
  • thinking creatively;
  • openness to new ideas;
  • communicating thoughts and knowledge;
  • written communication;
  • time management and planning; and
  • practices and ethics in the field of creative writing.
Related Course(s): Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Creative Writing
Creative Writing
Creative Writing

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