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April 2006
Interested in revisiting history? Retelling mythology? Leaping tall buildings in a single bound? If so, you may wish to take a new course exploring graphic novels as a literary artform to be held this summer at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College.
A graphic novel is a long-form comic book, usually with lengthy and complex storylines, and often aimed at more mature audiences. The term can also encompass a short story collection, or collected issues of= previously released comic books republished in a single large volume.
“More than a distraction for prepubescent boys, comic books are a historic means of storytelling that grew out of pulp novels and radio shows, says instructor Michelle Lisi-D’Alauro. “Beyond the basic superheroes and sidekicks, books like Art Spiegelman's Maus, Alan Moore's Watchmen, and Neil Gaiman's Sandman are ripe for literary analysis of their mythology and cultural review of race, class, sexuality, religion, and gender.”
In this seminar course, students will read graphic novels critically and write analyses of their symbols and social commentary. As a final project, students may also produce a graphic novel of their own.
The course (HUM 399, Graphic Novel: Modern Literature as an Artform) will meet Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m., beginning May 15 and ending June 28. Registration for all summer and fall courses is now open. For more information or to register, please call 753-6530. The complete USM/L A summer session and fall semester course schedules are online.
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