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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EXP 1011"
COURSE NAME: "Making Comics as Visual Literacy"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2017
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Antonio Lopez
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
FRI 2:00PM 5:00PM (Class meets on: January 27, February 17, February 24, March 10& March 24)
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
15
CREDITS:
1
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Grading: This course will be graded on a PASS/FAIL scale
In this course students will make a mini-comic and in the process develop visual literacy skills. It introduces the basic visual grammar of comics and offers an overview of different visual styles and genres. The core activity of the course involves learning how to go from sketches to final product by developing characters, building a world, constructing panels, sequences, completed stories, and distributing on the Web. Because, comics can visually communicate data and complexity in new and unfamiliar ways, skills developed in this course can be applied to other areas of academic life, such as mathematics, science, information science, literature, history, graphics design, arts, and business education. Learning to make comics will also cultivate entrepreneurial skills, including developing targeted communication, building an audience, developing an identity, and cultivating a public persona.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
In this course students will learn how to draw, layout, assemble, and share a completed 8-16-page mini-comic. This is a hands-on course with many in-class activities. Prior experience in drawing is not required, but students must be committed to practicing and developing a project independently. Students are also required to obtain proper supplies (sketchbook, pencils, pens, paper). The course culminates with a final critique of the mini-comics produced during the course.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By this end of this course students will:
• Learn the basics of comics’ visual grammar
• Analyse visual conventions of comics and apply them to visual literacy (i.e. color, panel size and position, lines, gestalt theory, etc.)
• Develop literary skills (point of view, character development, plot, etc.)
• Create a mini-comics that incorporates visual storytelling and visual literacy skills
• Learn basic techniques of do-it-yourself (DIY) comics production and distribution
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Making comics: Storytelling secrets of comics, manga and graphic novels. | McCloud, Scott | Harper | 780060780944 | | Please use Almost Corner Books | | | |
| Cartooning: Philosophy and practice | Brunetti, Ivan | Yale University Press | 9780300170993 | | Please use Almost Corner Books | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Drawing words & writing pictures: Making comics: Manga, graphic novels, and beyond | Abel, J., & Madden, M. | First Second | 9781596431317 | |
Please use Almost Corner Books |
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Attend all five sessions | | P/F |
| Complete an 8-16 page minicomic | | P/F |
| Essay | Submit a 1000-word essay evaluating the final product, including a discussion of what was learned, including aims, strategies, difficulties and successes, and how comic making skills can be applied to other academic or life activities. | P/F |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Session 1 Cartooning basics
Defining comics; visual grammar of comics; overview of styles, approaches and genres; review of materials and tools; spontaneous drawing; single panel cartoons.
Session 2 Developing stories for comics
Storytelling, subject matter and character development; four panel strips; simple page layout; drawing exercises.
Session 3 Complex layouts
Complex page layouts; facial expression and body posture; drawing exercises.
Session 4 Distribution and Building an Audience
Develop a distribution plan and finding an audience; four-page layout; backgrounds and world building; drawing exercises.
Session 5 Presentations and Final Critique
Presentations and discussion of final projects.
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