NPIC - New Programs and Innovations Committee April 23, 2009

Called to order at 9:35am
Present: G. Cochenet (Chair), E. Cornwell, Y. del Amo, K. Skoczen

I. Old Business
A. None.

II. New Business
A. Notification of 1 Special Topic course was presented and logged.

Course Number  Course Title Semester Times taught
ENG 298 Interpreting Comics Spring 2010 0

Description of logged courses

ENG 298 - Interpreting Comics
This course will educate (or denaturalize the genre and reeducate) students in the reading and interpretation of graphic narratives by introducing them to the appropriate terminology and methods of analysis for juxtaposed sequential narratives in words and pictures.  Because the medium is a hybrid one, study of it involves techniques of observation and interpretation drawn from both literary/ textual studies and art history, as mapped out in Scott McCloud's influential "Understanding Comics".  In addition to reading that critical text and selection from Will Eisner's "Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative" and Douglas Wolk's "Reading Comics", student will read, discuss, do a presentation on, and write papers making arguments about the meaning created by a selection of works.  These works will range from art comics (such as Spiegelman's early work, found embedded in Maus II) to a text responding critically to the tradition of America superhero comics (such as Alan Moore's "The Watchmen"), and from a modern revision of one or more literary classics (such as Neil Gaiman's "The Sandman: Dream Country") to a complex postmodern narrative about identity formation and the relation of fact and fiction (such as Alison Bechdel's "Fun Home").

B. NPIC began discussion about why special topic courses are cross listed with "real" courses.  Through some discussion, we felt we needed further information from those areas that practice this specific cross listing and from the Registrar's Office.

Meeting adjourned at 10:20am.

Respectfully submitted by: Greg Cochenet