General course information
Required Texts
Recommended Texts
- McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. 1993.
Course Expectations or Outputs
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- critically engage the theoretical, historical, and cultural contexts of a focused topic in media studies.
- demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the course topic through the analysis of primary texts in both class discussion and written work.
- construct and sustain analytical arguments in clear, coherent prose and proper essay format.
- enrich analytical arguments about primary texts through the judicious use of secondary sources.
Course Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will demonstrate:
- a detailed knowledge of a focused topic in media studies.
- an ability to offer theoretically and historically informed interpretation of texts.
- an ability to compare the merits of different critical and theoretical approaches.
- an ability to gather, review, and assess secondary sources appropriate to the topic.
- an ability to communicate logical, analytical arguments in clear, correct, and persuasive prose.
Preparation and Participation
You are expected to participate in class in an informed manner. At the very least, you are expected to come to class regularly, having read all assigned reading. You are expected to participate in class discussions. Keep in mind that participating in class is usually a highly rewarding experience, greatly enhancing your ability to understand the course material and helping ensure your success in the course. Everyone is expected to be courteous and professional at all times in class.
Lateness
- The term essay is due in class on November 18th. You may hand in the essay up to and including November 28th without penalty. After that, there will be a penalty of 2%/day (including weekend days) until December 6th. After December 6th, the penalty will be 20% and papers will be graded with minimal or no feedback.
- For the short analysis essay, students may choose to write on Batman, Watchmen, Ghost World, Maus I, or Maus II. The essay is due anytime before the beginning of the first class that treats the work the student has selected to write on. Essays handed in after the class has begun will not be accepted.
- No assignment will be accepted after the start of the final exam.
- If you are registered with Student Services for special consideration with regards to due dates, please hand in the appropriate form to the instructor and, if needed, remind the instructor about the consideration when handing in the assignments.
Plagiarism
The Department of English Studies and Nipissing University maintain a strict policy on all forms of academic dishonesty.
Each assignment must be original work produced by the student only for this course. All referencing and documentation must
be complete and accurate for both direct and indirect quotations. The Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines for essay
preparation are the standard in English Studies. Ignorance of what constitutes plagiarism will not be accepted as an excuse:
if you are uncertain about any of this information, see your instructor immediately. All essays and tests are subject to an
additional oral and/or written test at the instructor’s discretion. All suspected plagiarism will be reported to the
chair of the department, the dean of the faculty, and the registrar of the university.