English

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale program. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The course is intended for students who have a strong background in American Literature. The topic for the Spring 2018 semester is: American Graphic Novels The course focuses on American (literary) storytelling. The course offers an overview of the cultural history of American comics, while focusing on the avant-gardes of the late 1970s and 1980s that led to the development of the American graphic novel. Special attention is placed on documents like LE MUSÉE PRIVÉ D'ART SPIEGELMAN (2012) and COMIC BOOK CONFIDENTIAL (Ron Mann, 1988). The course focuses on storytelling and graphic devices and techniques. Special attention is placed on the relationship between the arts, and their historical, cultural, and linguistic contexts. Texts include: FUN HOME: A FAMILY TRAGICOMIC (2006) by Alison Bechdel, GHOST WORLD (1993-1997) by Daniel Clowes, A CONTRACT WITH GOD (1978) by Will Eisner, LOVE AND ROCKETS (1981-c2001) by Hernandez Bros., JULIUS KNIPL and REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHER (1988-to date) by Ben Katchor, CITY OF GLASS (1994, with Paul Karasik) and ASTERIOS POLYP (2009) by David Mazzucchelli, THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS (1986) by Frank Miller, AMERICAN SPLENDOR (1976-c2010) by Harvey Pekar, PALESTINE (1993-1995) by Joe Sacco, MAUS (1980-1991) and IN THE SHADOW OF NO TOWERS (2004) by Art Spiegelman, THIS MODERN WORLD (1988-to date) by Tom Tomorrow, THE ADVENTURES OF JIMMY CORRIGAN, THE SMARTEST KID ON EARTH (2000) by Chris Ware. Special attention is devoted to the permeability of graphic narrative into other art forms (theatre, modern dance, multimedia performances, radio, film, music). Specific autobiographical and metanarrative aspects are considered along with a number of films including: Ron Mann's COMIC BOOK CONFIDENTIAL (1988), Terry Zwigoff's CRUMB (1994), GHOST WORLD (2001) and ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL (2006), Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini's AMERICAN SPLENDOR (2003), and Mark Daniels' LA BD S'EN VA T-EN GUERRE (2009). The course is structured on the seminar model with part lecture and part discussion. The final exam is divided in two parts, one written and one oral.