The equivalent to English 6/English level 2 in Swedish upper secondary school
and 60 hp in Fine Arts, Social Science or Humanities.

The course is not part of any main field of study but may be included in a general degree at undergraduate level.

• Introduction to literary theory focusing on the Novel in general and Graphic Novel in particular, and how they have been understood/discussed in literary debate and comics studies.
• Introduction to comics analysis and a short re-introduction into the analysis of prose as used in novels.
• Methodological practice through application and development of analytical routines by analysing several graphic novels in depth.
• Experiments with comics storytelling; translating and re-telling/re-organising existing material to understand the function of style choices, decisions on placement of images, and elements within a narrative, etc.
• The course also includes testing and re-appraisal of theories in application.

After completing the course, the student will be able to:

1. Describe the history of the graphic novel and the development of the novel in general;
2. Use a proper terminology in analysis of graphic novels;
3. Analyse, discuss and reflect on narrative strategies in individual graphic novels in the context of limitations and possibilities in graphic novel storytelling and related literary genres;
4. Critically assess and analyse their own and others' work orally and in writing;
5. Reflect and judge graphic novels and their narrative elements and construction orally and in writing.

The course depends on the students' active participation. Learning activities include lectures, seminars, workshops, group work, as well as project work and independent studies.

• Terminology and analysis (4 credits, learning outcomes 1, 2 and 4, graded A-U)
  • Papers on terminology, written analysis of an individual graphic novel
• In-depth analysis of graphic novels (6 credits, learning outcomes 2, 3, 4 and 5, graded A-U)
  • Oral presentation and written analysis of selected graphic novel-material
• Comics exercises (5 credits, learning outcomes 4 and 5, graded pass/fail)
  • Active participation in seminars and comics exercises

The final course grade is based on a quantitative aggregation of all results.

Three opportunities for examination are offered during the academic year. Students who have not finished the course, have the opportunity to take part in examinations the next time the course is offered. Under such circumstances, assignments are carried out according to the literature and assignments that are valid during the time the examination is carried out.

For re-examination of production assignments and group projects, certain circumstances apply since the examination of these assignments are dependent on student participation during certain periods of time and in specific projects. Re-examinations will be offered according to the student’s rights, but with adjustments to the specific assignment since it cannot be conducted in the same context as the ordinary examination.

• Baetens, Jan (2001): "Revealing Traces: A New Theory of Graphic Enunciation" in: Varnum, Robin and Gibbons, Christina T. (eds.): The Language of Comics. Word and Image. Mississippi University Press; 145-155. (book chapter)
• Beronä, David A. (2001): "Pictures speak in comics without words." In: Varnum, Robin and Gibbons, Christina T. (eds.): The Language of Comics. Word and Image. Mississippi University Press; 19-39. (book chapter)
• Dittmar, Jakob (2022): "Defining the Graphic Novel." IJoCA Vol. 24:1, Spring/Summer 2022; 608-622. (article)
• Dittmar, Jakob (forthcoming): Key terms on Comics Storytelling. (book)
• Gibson, Mel (2010): "Picturebooks, Comics and Graphic Novels." In: Rudd, David (ed.): The Routledge Companion to Children's Literature. Abingdon: Routledge; 100-111. (book chapter)
• McKeon, Michael (2000). Theory of the Novel: A Historical Approach. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. (book)
• Miller, Ann (2007): Reading Bande Dessinée. Bristol: Intellect. (book, parts from/in part)
• Stein, Daniel and Thon, Jan-Noël (eds.). (2013). From Comic Strips to Graphic Novels: Contributions to the Theory and History of Graphic Narrative. De Gruyter. (book)

Graphic novels:

• Ware, Chris: Jimmy Corrigan, the smartest kid on Earth.
• Tan, Shaun: The Arrival.
• Simmonds, Posy: Gemma Bovery.
• Mill, Anna & Luke Jones: Square Eyes.
• Greenberg, Isabel: The Encyclopedia of Early Earth.
• De Crécy, Nicolas: Glacial Period.
• Bechdel, Alison: Fun Home.
• Appleby, Steven: Dragman.

In agreement with the students, graphic novels in other languages can be included. Digital as well as printed material will be used complementary.

Malmö University provides students who participate in, or who have completed a course, with the opportunity to express their opinions and describe their experiences of the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarise the results of course evaluations. The University will also inform participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures taken in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).

If a course is no longer offered, or has undergone significant changes, the students must be offered two opportunities for re-examination based on the syllabus that applied at the time of registration, for a period of one year after the changes have been implemented.

If a student has a Learning support decision, the examiner has the right to provide the student with an adapted test, or to allow the student to take the exam in a different format. The syllabus is a translation of a Swedish source text.