Courses

Graphic novels are having their moment. In 1964, comics critic and historian Richard Kyle coined the term “graphic novel” in reference to Japanese and European comics because it reflected the longer and more intricate stories emerging at the time. Now the term applies to books for every age group on topics spanning from joyous young reader material to insightful, in-depth journalism and dramatic personal stories. Why is this format so compelling now? What does it offer readers that other media do not?

In this course, we will explore all aspects of the graphic novel, beginning with a brief investigation of the history of visual storytelling dating back millennia. We’ll examine various cultural traditions that have historical relevance in defining today’s graphic novels. And we’ll cover practical considerations: What is the market for graphic novels? How does one query graphic novel publishers? As a writer, what portions of the narrative actually end up on the page? As an illustrator, what do submissions look like? Through lectures and short projects, supplemented by visits from industry experts, students in this course will develop their understanding of this fascinating medium and ultimately will have an opportunity to turn their own story ideas into a manuscript mock-up.