Comics and Cartoons

Catalog description

“Cartoons and Comics” is an introductory comics studies course focusing on the history of the art form in the United States since 1890 as well as current phenomena in the field. At the center of this study lies the concept of “double literacy,” that is, the combination of equally important vocabularies, visual and linguistic, that constitutes a cartoon or a comic. From a critical perspective as well as in a studio context, “Cartoons and Comics” will also offer two types of learning-studying and making-in its treatment of the material, culminating in a final project of the student’s choosing, either a scholarly or a creative endeavor, at the end of the term. “Comics and Cartoons” will begin with “The Yellow Kid” controversy in the 1890s, then examine the advent of the Funnies pages in newspapers, as well as trends in the field including the MCU, underground and indie comix, Manga, Mad and Raw magazines, digital DIY, and web comics. Moreover, the course will also consider the ways the artwork might be disseminated, with an eye on the differences in how print and digital media engage the reader and viewer. Satisfies English major and minor requirement. Satisfies Studio Art major and minor requirement. Satisfies Visual and Performing Arts requirement.