Honors 200: David Southward
The Graphic Novel as Literature Office: Honors House 166A
Fall 2014 Hours: M-R 3:30-5:00
MW 5:30-6:45 email:
HON 180
Texts at UWM Bookstore:
Spiegelman, Maus I and II [9780679748403 $31.90]
Moore and Gibbons, Watchmen [9780930289232 $19.99]
Mazzucchelli, Asterios Polyp [9780307377326 $35.00]
Ware, Building Stories [978-0375424335 $50.00]
Thompson, Blankets [978-1891830433 $29.95]
McCloud, Understanding Comics [9780060976255 $22.99]
Sep 3 W Introductions
8 M Maus I, chapters 1-4
10 W Maus I concluded
15 M Maus II, chapters 1-2
17 W Maus II concluded
22 M Understanding Comics, chapters 1-3
24 W Understanding Comics, chapters 4-6
29 M 3-page essay due in class
Oct 1 W Watchmen, chapters I-II
6 M Revision due in class; Watchmen, chapters III-IV
8 W Watchmen, chapters V-VI
13 M Watchmen, chapters VII-VIII
15 W Watchmen, chapters IX-X
20 M Watchmen concluded
22 W Asterios Polyp
27 M 5-page essay due in class
29 W Asterios Polyp
Nov 3 M Revision of 5-page essay due in class; Asterios Polyp
5 W Asterios Polyp
Nov 10 M Building Stories
12 W Building Stories
17 M Asterios Polyp essays due in class (4 pp.); Building Stories
19 W Building Stories
24 M Building Stories
26 W Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec 1 M Building Stories essays due in class (4 pp.); Blankets, chapters 1-2
3 W Blankets, chapters 3-4
8 M Blankets, chapters 5-7
10 W Blankets concluded
17 W Graphic memoir due in my office drop-box by 4:00 p.m.
Policies
The format of this course will be seminar discussion—which means the less talking done by the instructor, the better!
Goals of the course include learning to:
§ close-read and interpret literary texts and images
§ develop ideas in rational conversation and debate with others
§ evaluate the validity of a thesis or argument
§ lead an effective discussion
§ master the basics of analytical writing (supporting claims, interpreting evidence)
§ appreciate the complexity of comics as an art form
Class preparation will entail: careful reading of assigned texts for each class, looking up any words you don’t know; posting weekly discussion starters on D2L; preparing to lead two 30-minute discussions; and coming to class on time with your assignments, notes, and texts—ready to share your views and ideas. As in life, so in the seminar: you only get what you give.
Participation in discussion is mandatory and will be evaluated on the following scale for each
class meeting, the final participation grade being an average for the term:
A = insightful comments that actively build on and promote discussion
B = relevant comments that show some insight or engagement
C = few comments of relevance to the discussion
D = silence or an irrelevant remark
F = absence from class
Writing assignments include:
1) Three interpretive essays ranging from three to five pages in length, the first two of which will be revised in response to peer reviews and instructor comments. These papers will be evaluated on the originality of their arguments, close textual analysis, and style (in that order). The final grade for revised essays will be an average of the first draft’s grade (⅓) and second draft’s grade (⅔); however, students receiving A or A- on a first draft
automatically receive an A on their revision and do not have to revise.
2) Short reviews of classmates’ papers, using a peer review worksheet.
3) Weekly postings of discussion starters on D2L.
Your final project will be a graphic memoir: the first chapter of your autobiography in graphic form (12 pp.). (Don’t worry if you can’t draw: the memoir will be evaluated strictly on the basis of its storytelling, not its eye appeal.)
Grades will be based on class participation (including attendance and timeliness, degree and quality of involvement in discussion, effectiveness at leading discussion, and thoughtfulness of peer reviews and D2L posts = 25%), writing assignments (3-page essay = 15%; 4-page essay = 20%; 5-page essay = 25%), and the graphic memoir (15%).
Only two absences are permitted; each subsequent absence will lower your final grade by one third (e.g., from A- to B+). Absences cannot be “excused,” though they can be made up by an extra assignment at the instructor’s discretion.
Late papers will be penalized one third grade for each weekday they are late; if a first draft is late, the penalty applies to the revision as well. Extensions on papers will be granted to those in hardship, but requests must be made in advance of the due date.
Please note: Any instance of plagiarism will result in failure of the assignment.
About my office hours: Use them! They are for you to try out your ideas, work on your writing, or express any concerns you may have about the class or your performance in it.