Course overview
This course will introduce students to the particular narrative strengths of the still-image, sequenced, visual format used in comic books and provide perspectives on the directions of comic books in Australia. The course will discuss the developing distinction between comics, graphic novels, graphic narratives and cartoons. In doing so it will trace the history of cartoons as the basis for the first comics to appear in Europe and North America, will examine the first popularisation of comic books into serialised format in the USA and the later split between fictional and non-fictional comics. In addition, this course will briefly trace the recent proliferation of comic books into cross-media forms such as the Super-Hero franchise films and the burgeoning genre of animated documentary films. This course will provide a basis for students to produce and interpret their own comic books, scripts and story boards for films and computer games.
Course learning outcomes
- Determine the different histories and traditions of comic book creation.
- Identify, explain and apply a detailed understanding of the strengths and limitations of various graphic narrative forms.
- Describe cross-media convergence in relation to comic book creation.
- Identify and evaluate the current state of the national, local and international comic book industry and describe their own work in relation to this.
- Identify and evaluate how skills in narrative analysis, script writing, story-boarding and/or drawing can help transfer learning to an appropriate industry context.
Availability
Class details
Adelaide City Campus West
Group 1
Class number 67865
Section SE01
Size 20
Available 20
Fee calculator
To display course fees for 2027, select your status and program below:
Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here.
Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.
If you are studying in a Professional Pathway Psychology, Clinical Psychology or Social Work program, please refer to the Student Contributions amounts published here.
The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.