Graphic Histories

Catalog description

How do we represent historical events graphically? How can we use drawing to practice paying attention to historical images? How do we generate new perspectives when telling histories with multiple narratives? Similar to the impact that The 1619 Project has had by reaching a broader audience, could graphic histories raise the visibility of previously marginalized stories and allow us to rethink long-held beliefs about our past? In this methods-focused course, we will read and analyze historical scholarship and graphic histories in a case- study approach in order to determine how best to work with primary sources to create our own graphic histories with diverse representation. This course relies on the philosophy and techniques of Lynda Barry and Ivan Brunetti with the underlying belief that anyone can draw. No prior drawing experience is required. Readings may include works by Kyle Baker, Meg-John Barker, Jason Eaglespeaker, Ebony Flowers, Rebecca Hall, Ken Krimstein, Nora Krug, John Lewis, Scott McCloud, Eric Orner, Frank “Big Black” Smith, Anna Veltfort, and Gene Leun Yang. Guest speakers may include authors, illustrators, historians, publishers, and visual storytellers.