Comic Studies (CMX)

Explanation of Course Descriptions, Symbols, and Terms

CMX 304 Making Comics (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Introduction to the hands-on making of comics. Focus on in-class exercises and small projects in making comics alongside analysis of comics. Promotes understanding of how to communicate in comics and discover working methods that best work for them.
(This course is offered as LS 304, CMX 304, and HUM 304. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

CMX 325 Comics and Culture (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Introduction to the scholarly study of comic books and graphic novels. Emphasis on formal analysis, historical antecedents and developments, cross-cultural comparison, and comparison of comics with other cultural forms. Focus on what it means to make comics, as well as analyze them, through in-class and homework activities.
(This course is offered as HUM 325 and CMX 325. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

CMX 504 From Superman to the Supercrip: Comics and Disability (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: CMX 325 or permission of the instructor.

Explore how disability has been historically represented in comics and how that has changed over time. Expand the idea of what comics can be and who they are for to show new possibilities for the future of comics as a whole. Investigate methods for making comics more accessible to such audiences as blind and low vision readers. Instill best accessibility practices in conveying messages through the medium of comics. Study conducted through analysis of representation in comics, readings in disability literature, and creation of comics addressing both representation and accessibility.

CMX 540 Topics in Comics Studies (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: HUM 325 or permission of the instructor.

Deep examination of a particular genre, time period, region, or emphasis within the comics medium. Focus on primary, theoretical, and contextual readings, and will include opportunities to make as well as reflect on comics. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary. [Formerly HUM 540]

Topics:

  1. San Francisco Underground Comics
  2. Queer Comics
  3. Political Cartooning
  4. Superheroes

CMX 541 Manga (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

A deep look at the history of manga, its different genres and their audiences, prominent titles and authors of Japanese comics, and readership. Close analysis of a wide range of manga texts to encourage a well-rounded understanding of the field.
(This course is offered as HUM 541 and CMX 541. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

CMX 604 Advanced Comics Making (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: LS 304/CMX 304.

Builds on the making and analytical skills covered in LS 304/CMX 304. Project-based course for developing skills in communicating through comic form, culminating in the production of a significant work ready for publication.
(This course is offered as LS 604, HUM 604, and CMX 604. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

CMX 625 Advanced Readings in Comics (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division or graduate standing; CMX 325; or permission of the instructor.

Advanced study of comics from a theoretical standpoint. A wide range of comics theorists are explored and put in conversation with a diverse set of complex, long-form comics. Discussions that delve deeply and critically into the different comics works. Explorations of comics expressly conducted through visual methods, including comics and other image-text hybrids.
(This course is offered as CMX 625 and HUM 625. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

CMX 650 The Affordances of Creative Nonfiction Comics (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: CMX 304* and CMX 604*.

Intensive study of nonfiction comics exploring the different purposes of and approaches to their creation and applications. Types of nonfiction comics explored include: historical, scientific, educational, biographical, informational, explanatory, instructional, and advocacy. Close analysis of nonfiction comics done in parallel with intensive practice, in which short nonfiction comics are produced. Specific topics include exploring research methods for comics, navigating artist-researcher collaborations, comics compositional theory, and best practices for communicating scientific and educational ideas.

CMX 675 The Lab: Nonfiction Comics in Action (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: CMX 650*.

Production of publication-ready nonfiction comics in conjunction with partners from across campus. Training in all aspects of bringing comics to publication, including setting project aims, research gathering, proposal development, production schedule, and other technical aspects of comics creation. Culminates in publication and distribution of comics created for respective university partners.

CMX 697 Capstone: Solo Directed Creative Nonfiction Comics Project (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: CMX 650* and CMX 675*.

Capstone project showcasing mastery of subject matter and clear narrative. Development of a long-form, nonfiction comic from concept to publication-ready piece.