Honors 200-009David Southward
Graphic Memoir: The Art of Self-CreationOffice: Honors House 166A
Fall 2015Hours: M 2:30-3:30
T/R 2:00-3:15T/R 1-2, 3:30-4
HON 155W 1:30-3:30
email:
Required Texts:
Alison Bechdel, Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic [978-0618871711]
Ellen Forney, Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me [978-1592407323]
Marjane Satrapi, The Complete Persepolis [978-0375714832]
David Small, Stitches: A Memoir [978-0393338966]
Craig Thompson, Blankets [978-1891830433]
Lila Quintero Weaver, Darkroom: A Memoir in Black & White [978-0817357146]
Sep 3RIntroductions
8TBlankets chs. I-II
10RBlankets chs. III-IV
15TBlankets chs. V-VII
17RBlankets concluded
22TFun Home chs. 1-2
24RFun Home chs. 3-4
29TFun Home chs. 5-6
Oct 1 RFun Home concluded
6T3-4 pageessay due in class
8RDarkroom through ch. 3
13TRevised essay due in class; Darkroom chs. 4-7
15RDarkroom chs. 8-9
20TDarkroom concluded
22RPersepolis through “The Trip” (p. 79)
27TPersepolis through “The Soup” (p. 163)
29RPersepolis through “The Veil” (p. 245)
Nov3TPersepolis concluded
5R4-5 page essay due in class
Nov10TMarbles chs. 1-2
12RRevised essay due in class; Marbles chs. 3-4
17TMarbles chs. 5-6
19 RMarbles concluded
24TGraphic Memoir due in class
26RThanksgiving Holiday
Dec 1TStitches to “I Was Eleven” (p. 107)
3RStitches to power lines (p. 229)
8TStitches concluded
10RFinal paper consultations
15TFinal paperduein 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 autobiographical comics
Class preparation will entail: careful reading of assigned texts for each class, looking up any words you don’t know; posting weekly discussion topics on D2L; preparing to lead two 25-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; thorough
preparation for class; courtesy, tact, and timeliness
B = relevant comments that show some insight or engagement; possible tardiness,
shyness, dominating or immature behavior
C = few comments of relevance to the discussion; prolonged silence or
inappropriate behavior; poor preparation
D = silence or irrelevant remarks; disruptive behavior; no preparation
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 topics on D2L.
Additionally, you will create your own graphic memoir: the first chapter of your autobiography in graphic form (12 pp.), to be shared with the class. (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 (each essay = 20%), and the graphic memoir (15%).
Only twoabsences 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.