Discussions
The bulk of the class, other than the projects, will be spent in two types of discussion: synchronous (discussion boards) and asynchronous (Google Hangouts).
Discussion Boards
In Discussion Boards, we will explore the books and articles/essays/blogs that we read to 1) respond to comic form, 2) analyze those works using concepts from McCloud's Understanding Comics, and 3) develop our sense of comic "style" as we begin to draft/complete our own graphic nonfiction works.
Just as with an in-class discussion, the key component to the discussion boards is to talk to each other. You should plan to visit and comment on the discussion boards every day during the week. You will struggle to meet the discussion board requirements if you plan to do all the discussion on the weekend and/or try to finish the entire book before you begin the discussion. Thus, plan out at least 30 minutes to an hour each day to go in and work in the discussion boards (on top of the time you schedule for reading).
NOTE: When referring to sections of the graphic nonfiction books we read, please refer to page number and panel counting from the upper left to lower right corner (i.e., On page 40, panel 6 of Scott McCloud's ...).
The discussion board will be graded for four elements: Examples, Organization, Response to Classmates, Grammar and Citation. For a full description of the grading criteria, see this rubric.
Just as with an in-class discussion, the key component to the discussion boards is to talk to each other. You should plan to visit and comment on the discussion boards every day during the week. You will struggle to meet the discussion board requirements if you plan to do all the discussion on the weekend and/or try to finish the entire book before you begin the discussion. Thus, plan out at least 30 minutes to an hour each day to go in and work in the discussion boards (on top of the time you schedule for reading).
NOTE: When referring to sections of the graphic nonfiction books we read, please refer to page number and panel counting from the upper left to lower right corner (i.e., On page 40, panel 6 of Scott McCloud's ...).
The discussion board will be graded for four elements: Examples, Organization, Response to Classmates, Grammar and Citation. For a full description of the grading criteria, see this rubric.
Google Hangouts
Twice during the class, we will meet in small groups in Google Hangouts to discuss the books and talk about our own graphic nonfiction development, any problems or issues we are having in Comic Life and/or with our work, and just seeing each others' faces.
If you have never used Google Hangouts before and would like to practice before we meet for the class, please email me and we can arrange a practice session. You will need access to a computer with a camera and microphone for these sessions, and you will need to be able to set up somewhere without a lot of background noise (or use a headset with a mic that has some noise-cancellation if you can't set up somewhere fairly quiet).
Google Hangouts are graded on participation only.
If you have never used Google Hangouts before and would like to practice before we meet for the class, please email me and we can arrange a practice session. You will need access to a computer with a camera and microphone for these sessions, and you will need to be able to set up somewhere without a lot of background noise (or use a headset with a mic that has some noise-cancellation if you can't set up somewhere fairly quiet).
Google Hangouts are graded on participation only.