The equivalent to English 6/English level 2 in Swedish upper secondary school and 30 higher education credits.

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

The course introduces the theory and practice of comics analysis and comics production. These are applied and developed with a focus on documentary comics.

The course is divided into three parts:

1. Introduction to visual narrative structure, and to documentary comics.

2. In-depth study of Comics cultures and their implications for comics journalism/documentary.

3. Individual documentary project that must contain pictorial sequential storytelling (topic chosen in dialogue with supervisor) and a written report, connecting the project to comics theory and cultural theory.

On completion of the course the student will be able to:

1. Describe and reflect on documentary genres in general and specifically in comics;

2. Contextualize and discuss comics in relation to other forms of visual narration;

3. Describe and discuss the production of a comic, from idea and concept through to published product;

4. Develop and produce (script and/or draw, text/illustrate) at least one visual narrative that is usable as documentary comic;

5. Critically assess and analyse, orally and in writing, their own and others' theoretical and practical work, in regard to documentary comics.

The course depends on the students' activity and learning. Learning activities include lectures, seminars, workshops, possible study visits, group work, independent studies, and individual student-led projects under supervision.

Learning outcomes are assessed as follows:

• Comics and drawing exercises (5 credits, learning outcome 3 and 4)
• Individual documentary comics project (work in progress as well as finished project) (5 credits, learning outcomes 3,4,5)
• Written reflections and active participation in text-seminars (5 credits, learning outcomes 1,2,5).

To achieve a pass in the course, all assessment tasks must be approved. To receive a distinction as the final result for the course, a grade of VG (väl godkänd) is required in at least 10 credits.

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.

• Ashkenazi, Ofer & Dittmar, Jakob (2018) Negotiating Documentation in Comics. International Journal of Comic Art, Vol. 20:1, Spring/Summer 2018; 587-597. (article)

• Austin, Thomas & Wilma de Jong (eds.) (2008). Rethinking Documentary. New Perspectives, New Practices. Maidenhead: Open University Press (book)

• Lefèvre, Pascal (2013) The Modes of Documentary Comics. I Dietrich Grünewald (Hg.): Der dokumentarische ComicReportage und Biographie. Berlin: Ch. A. Bachmann, 2013; 50-60. (book chapter)

• Swogger, John G. (2015) Ceramics, Polity, and Comics. Visually Re-Presenting Formal Archaeological Publication. Advances in Archaeological Practice Vol. 3/1, February 2015, 16-28. (article)

Up to 1000 pages of short texts, book chapters, comics and other graphic visual material may be added.

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.

The learning outcomes of the course partly overlap in content with the course Journalistic and Documentary Comics (KK166A) and cannot be included in a degree together with this course.

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.