School of Humanities  
 
 
AMS-30030 Words and Pictures: the Contemporary American Graphic Novel  
Co-ordinator: Dr James Peacock    Room: CBB0.025, Tel:33140  
Teaching Team: Mrs Jayne  Braddick, Mrs Amanda  Porritt, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts,  Jo  Gill  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
American Studies Dual Honours (Level 3)
American Studies Minor (Level 3)
American Studies Single Honours (Level 3)
English and American Literatures Single Honours (Level 3)
English Dual Honours (Level 3)
English Major (Level 3)
English Minor (Level 3)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Barred Combinations
None
Prerequisites
None
Description

The graphic novel is becoming an increasingly important form and is proving itself worthy of scholarly attention. For many readers coming to graphic novels for the first time, the form poses specific challenges in the sense that it requires new modes of attention, new ways of reading. One of the exciting aspects of this module is that it offers students guidance in those new ways. Time is taken with each primary text, reflecting both the scope and ambition of the texts themselves, and also the need for reflection throughout the module on the reading process itself. Content is not neglected, however, and students will have the opportunity to explore the startling variety of themes, ideas and issues tackled in graphic novels, from racial identity to sexual politics, teenage angst and 9/11. The module is particularly suitable for students who have previously taken cross-disciplinary modules in American Studies (such as The Detective and the American City) and / or for students with at least a literature background.
Aims
- To introduce students to a range of major authors and works from the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries
- To analyse the ways in which graphic novels require a different kind of reading process from conventional novels
- To introduce students to key themes, issues and problems in contemporary American culture
- To develop broad skills in written expression and literary analysis
- To develop research skills
Intended Learning Outcomes
describe and evaluate features of disciplinary scholarship (literature / visual art) relating to study of the contemporary United States will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
describe and analyse features of the social, historical, and political identity of the United States in the last two decades will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
analyse and interpret a range of primary (graphic novels) and secondary (theories of the graphic novel)written sources will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
make coherent arguments based on evidence and analysis orally and in writing will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
relate textual analysis to social, cultural and historical contexts will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
carry out detailed and focussed research using a range of textual and electronic sources will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02
consistently employ the bibliograhical, referencing and presentation requirements of the core disciplines will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02
Study hours
10x2-hour seminar; 1x2-hour workshop; 1x20-minute one-to-one feedback session; 1 x 1-hour online Q and A seminar; 30 hours seminar preparation; 60 hours critical report, essay and presentation preparation; 36 wider research, including contributions to discussion thread
Description of Module Assessment
01: Webct weighted 20%
Discussion thread
Students encouraged to read widely around the subject and share their findings (interesting articles, reviews, primary texts, general thoughts) on an ongoing WebCT discussion thread. At the end of the module, each student's contributions assessed and the whole thread printed off for students to keep as a record and maybe a spur for future research.
02: Review weighted 30%
Review of one of a choice of contemporary articles about graphic novels
Students select an article from the module document reading list and write a formal review of around 1,000 words.
03: Essay weighted 40%
longer essay on selected primary texts
Students write a longer essay (3,000 words) on one or two of the primary texts.
04: Class Participation weighted 10%
participation mark for seminars and workshops
Assesses general quality of contributions as well as teamwork and time management in seminars and workshops.
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Oct/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.