Texts, Images, and the Joy of Reading: Graphic Novels in the Classroom, 7.5 credits

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to

• identify and discuss genre charcteristics of graphic novels,
• critically discuss the teaching potential of the genre, with a focus on engagement and joy of reading, using relevant terminology, and
• design and critically reflect on potential teaching activities and methods that aim to develop engagement and joy of reading.

Content

In this course, we explore and test the possibilities that the flourishing genre of graphic novels offers to develop creative, critical and, above all, curious and engaged encounters with literary worlds. The purpose is to develop pedagogical and literary insights and approaches that promote joy of reading.The focus is on lower and upper secondary school (from grade 7 and up). Graphic novels are characterized by innovative and challenging meetings between texts and images and the genre includes highly original works as well as adaptations of both older and modern classics. In the course, we focus both on the value of the genre in itself and its potential to create routes into other texts.

Examinations and grades

The Graphic Novel Genre, 1.5 credits (Code: A001)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

The Teaching Potential of Graphic Novels, 3 credits (Code: A002)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Pedagogical Aspects and Teaching Methods, 3 credits (Code: A003)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

In accordance with university regulations on grading systems for first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades is to be used: fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). For courses included in an international master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the A to F grading scale is to be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by them, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds for doing so.

The grades used on this course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Comments on grades

To pass the whole course, at least the grade E is required for each examination. The letter grades A–E will be converted to numbers 5–1 and combined to an average grade, where the number of credits for each examination also are taken into account. A weighted average grade of the course modules will thus be reported for the whole course.

Grade A is reported if the grade average is at least 4.5.
Grade B is reported if the grade average is at least 3.5 but less than 4.5.
Grade C is reported if the grade average is at least 2.5 but less than 3.5.
Grade D is reported if the grade average is at least 1.5 but less than 2.5.
Grade E is reported if the grade average is less than 1.5.

Modes of assessment

The Graphic Novel Genre, 1.5 credits (Code: A001)
Written exam.

The Teaching Potential of Graphic Novels, 3 credits (Code: A002)
Written assignment.

Pedagogical Aspects and Teaching Methods, 3 credits (Code: A003)
Oral examination with a written component.

Comments on modes of assessment
Examination deadline
An examination shall be carried out at the time decided by the university. If an examination, which involves that the student can do the assignment in another place than in the university's premises (for example take-home examination), can not be submitted on time, the examiner decides how the examination shall be handled.

Supplementary assignments for a passing grade
The examiner may decide that a student who has not received a passing grade on the examination may submit supplementary assignments instead of taking a re-examination. Supplementary assignments must be carried out according to the teacher’s instructions and submitted to the teacher within 5 working days after the student is notified of the failing grade.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other modes of assessment.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

60 credits from first-cycle courses in English, Literary studies, or Swedish. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

The language of instruction is mainly English, but some lectures might be in Swedish. Language of examination is English.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Reading list and other learning resources

Required Reading

McCallum, Andrew (2012)
Creativity and Learning in Secondary English: Teaching for a Creative Classroom
Taylor and Francis
http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universitetsbiblioteket-ebooks/detail.action?docID=978914*

Four-five of the works listed below in accordance with instructions from the instructor:

Austen, Jane / Ian Edginton: Pride and Prejudice, Eye Classics (graphic novel) (2018)
Barlow, Steve & Steve Skidmore: Classics in Graphics: Shakespeare's The Tempest (2022)
Butler, Octavia & John Jennings: Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation (2017)
Fordham, Fred & Aya Morton: F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (2020)
Gao, Laura. Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American (2022)
Okorafor, Nnedi: Laguardia (2019)
Peters, Julian: Poems to See By (2020)
Riggs, Ransom & Cassandra Jean: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children: The Graphic Novel (2013)
Selznick. Brian: The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2007)
Shakespeare, William / Julien Choy: Macbeth Manga Classics (2018)
Spiegelman, Art: The Complete Maus (2003)
Takei, George, Justin Eisinger & Steven Scott: They Called Us Enemy (2019) ISBN: 9781603094504
Tan, Shaun: Creature (2022)
Tan, Shaun: Tales from the Inner City (2022)
Tan, Shaun: The Arrival (2014)

Additions and Comments
*selected parts, see study guide.

Additional reading in the form of articles of about 150 pages, see study guide.