Graphic Narratives (CWRI90023)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Students will read graphic fiction and non-fiction with a focus on 20th century writers such as Robert Crumb, Art Spiegelman, Alison Bechdel, Chris Ware, Marjane Satrapi, Charles Burns, Bruce Mutard and Shaun Tan. Students will also read into comics theory, cultural theory, and contemporary criticism of the medium, and discuss the history and innovations of this emerging field of writing practice. Students will work to produce their own original graphic narrative: this can be fictional, autobiographical, biographical or journalistic. Guest educators will present intensive masterclasses on drawing and storyboarding; no prior artistic experience is required.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Apply advanced theoretical, aesthetic, and analytic skills to interpreting the graphic fiction and non-fiction works of key 20th century writers
- Discuss comics theory and cultural theory
- Articulate a sound working knowledge of the history and contemporary directions of the emerging genre of the graphic narrative
- Originate group discussions and collaborative learning concerning the history and innovations of the emerging field of graphic fiction writing
- Produce original graphic narratives
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Engage in critical thinking and analysis
- Think creatively
- Demonstrate openness to new ideas
- Show developed skills in communicating thoughts and knowledge
- Show excellence in written communication
- Demonstrate time management and planning skills
- Show understanding of practices and ethics in the field of creative writing.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
CWRI40011 Graphic Narratives
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
A formal analysis of a comic, given as an oral presentation
| From Week 3 to Week 12 | 10% |
An essay on a topic relating to comics theory, cultural theory, or graphic fiction criticism
| Week 10 | 30% |
A short piece of original graphic narrative
| During the examination period | 50% |
A short piece of interactive media designed in relation to one of the other three pieces of assessment. Options include: a recorded comic reading, an educational exercise, or a 2-minute multimedia comic analysis.
| Week 12 | 10% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Elizabeth MacFarlane Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 24 hours: 2 Hour Seminar per week, for 12 weeks Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025