With a focus on comics and graphic novels, students in this writing intensive course will examine the ways in which creators utilize visual language - pictorial elements, devices, and techniques. Discussion and analysis of visual narrative works will establish a foundation from which students can cultivate and explore their own unique approaches in application, developing various original projects.

From the medium's origin in the Early 20th century's interwar years, comic books have allowed minority and under-represented communities to make their voices heard and their stories told. Starting with the 1938 debut of Superman - a literal alien adopted by prototypical heartland Americans - immigrants, religious and ethnic minorities, and women have found colorful and fantastical ways to share their experiences. This course will explore the creative expression of some of those other voices of comic books.

English 787, English Major Seminar: The Other Voices of Comic Books is a Writing Intensive course that fulfills part of the Capstone requirement (as well as the “Poetics” requirement) for the Literary Studies option within the English Studies major. At UNH Manchester, it also fulfills the diversity requirement for the B.A. in English Teaching. Prerequisite: English 419, or instructor’s permission.

Although the course is titled “English Major Seminar,” students from other majors are very welcome and may find the subject matter of interest (please note the “instructor’s permission” option).

English 787 may be repeated for credit, up to a maximum of 8 credits, provided that the content is not significantly duplicated.  

From the medium's origin in the Early 20th century's interwar years, comic books have allowed minority and under-represented communities to make their voices heard and their stories told. Starting with the 1938 debut of Superman - a literal alien adopted by prototypical heartland Americans - immigrants, religious and ethnic minorities, and women have found colorful and fantastical ways to share their experiences. This course will explore the creative expression of some of those other voices of comic books.