Gender and Comics

Study of cultural politics of comics—broadly defined to include comic books, cartoons, graphic novels, manga, manhwa, graphic memoirs, documentary comics, etc.—with focus on feminist genealogies and transnational dynamics. Introduction to comics as form of graphic storytelling and sequential art, beginning with primer on basic terminology for reading, discussing, and making comics. For historical context, consideration of gendered youth culture, superheroes, Cold War geopolitics, and comics industry in U.S. and beyond. Examination of comics written for kids and young adults as well as for mature audiences and critical readers, including comics that range from funny and heartwarming to seriously dark, irreverent, and even risqué. These include alternative comics, underground comix, and feminist and queer comics that circulated through alternative newspapers and small presses before rise of graphic novels.

Examination also of graphic memoirs, comics journalism, etc. P/NP or letter grading.