Document Type

Syllabus

Publication Date

Fall 2023

Course Description

The goal of this course is to examine the ways in which comic books and graphic novels portray gender and sexuality in contemporary and complex ways, with an emphasis on LGBTQ+ history in the United States. We will begin by examining and understanding comics as a medium. Then we turn our attention to academic history texts, and how these historical and social contexts are reflected in the narratives and stories of comics and graphic novels. intersect with race, ethnicity, and other social categories. We will be reading a range of comic books, graphic novels, and academic books and articles. The course takes an intersectional approach in which we will consider the ways that gender and sexuality intersect with race, ethnicity, and other social categories. We will be reading a range of comic books, graphic novels, and academic books and articles. Comics have a notorious reputation of being seen as “kids’ stuff” or “low art.” In this seminar we will take a serious, analytical look at comics, examining them as social, historical, literary, and artistic texts that portray and critique real and serious themes like death by suicide, disclosing or “coming out” as LGBTQ+, and institutionalized discrimination.

Student Outcomes

Course learning outcomes. At the end of this course students will be able to: • Understand and demonstrate the language of comics • Distinguish LGBTQ+ history in the United States through multiple sources • Identify and critique the intersecting systems of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality in the comic art and stories • Identify and critique social institutions and LGBTQ+ experiences within them, including gender and sexual identity development, families, and law • Examine and practice different types of academic writing • Develop and utilize critical writing, discussion, and analytical skills • Navigate the transition to college-level work and academic life

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