| CODE | MCS2300 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Satirical Cartoons and Visual Narrative | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Media and Communications | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | A study-unit intended to look at two important areas of visual communications: (1) Journalistic cartoons, to be found in the print media worldwide, intended as a visual/verbal satirical comment on contemporary news, and (2) the language of sequential narrative – often to be found in comic strips, comic books and graphic novels. The study-unit provides a brief history of the salient happenings in both generic manifestations of the media. The study-unit also explores the symbiotic visual/verbal language of the cartoon genre, as well as (1) how it is used to carry its message, (2) it’s value as a means of communications, (3) its contribution to popular culture, (3) its various manifestations – using examples from across the spectrum of usage. Diverse (and divergent) cartoon and comics creators will be presented to class, their approach and styles analysed and the language of the media explored. Study-Unit Aims: To acclimatise communications students with the genres of visual/verbal satire and of graphic sequential narrative, studying aims, content and styles. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Distinguish among the different generic permutations of cartoon and sequential narrative usage; - Review a number of examples of satirical, single panel cartoons, exploring the societal contexts that instigate them; - Critically review the diverse communicative styles to be found in several examples of sequential narrative publications; - Position each visually communicative form within societal, political and cultural contexts. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Recognise different styles of cartooning and sequential narrative illustration; - Link political, social and/or cultural contexts with particular satirical cartoon output; - Develop their own approaches to the creation of cartoon satire and/or sequential narrative. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - McCloud, S. (1993). Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. New York: Harper Collins. Readers: - Brunetti, I. (2011). Cartooning: Philosophy and Practice. New Haven: Yale University Press. - Duncan, R., & Smith, M. J. (2009). The Power of Comics: History, Form & Culture. New York: Continuum. - Groensteen, T. (2013). Comics and Narration. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi. - Kukkonen, K. (2013). Studying Comics and Graphic Novels. West Sussex: Wiley Blackwell. - Navasky, V. S. (2014). The Art of Controversy: Political Cartoons and their Enduring Power. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. Comics and Cartoon books: - Eisner, W. (2006). The Contract with God Trilogy: Life on Dropsie Avenue. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. - Kallaugher, K. (2016). Daggers Drawn: 35 Years of Kal Cartoons in the Economist. Maryland: Chatsworth Press. - Mazzucchelli, D. (2009). Asterios Polyp. New York: Pantheon Books. - Sacco, J. (2001). Palestine. Seattle: Fantagraphics Books. - Thompson, C. (2003). Blankets. Marietta: Top Shelf Productions. - Tory, P. (1995). The Ultimate Giles: An Illustrated Tribute to the Legendary Cartoonist. London: Headline Book Publishing. Additional Reading: - Atkinson, D. (1997). Funny Girls: Cartooning for Equality. Middlesex: Penguin Books. - Garcia, S. (2010). On the Graphic Novel. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi. - Gravett, P. (2013). Comics Art. London: Tate Publishing. - Harvey, R. C. (1994). The Art of the Funnies: An Aesthetic History. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | |||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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