Comics come to Birkbeck
With an annual conference on the subject and two new courses on offer, Birkbeck has become a hub for the study of comics; until recently an under-rated and overlooked art form.
With an annual conference on the subject and two new courses on offer, Birkbeck has become a hub for the study of comics; until recently an under-rated and overlooked art form.
Birkbeck is the location of the third annual Transitions Comica symposium, the only regular London based academic conference on comics. Transitions 3 is being hosted at Birkbeck on November 3rd 2012; the event is free to attend and will bring together academics, artists, and members of the public to stimulate debate and map new trends.
To coincide with Transitions 3, Birkbeck is proud to announce that the college is offering two new short courses on comics - both are suitable for novices, the curious, and the ardent fan:
- Comics, Comix, and Graphic Novels – Introductions
An introductory course will look at a wide range of comics in a variety of formats and consider ways of understanding them in their historical, cultural and generic contexts. The course traces a chronological trajectory from nineteenth century newspaper strips, through the birth of the superhero, via the subversive iconography of the sixties undergrounds, onto the rise of the graphic novel and beyond. Focusing predominantly on Anglo-American comics, the course also considers the influence of other national traditions such as French language bande dessinée and Japanese manga. - Comics, Comix, and Graphic Novels – Approaches
A more advanced course will examine in closer detail the relevant approaches that have informed the development of comics. The course is arranged thematically focusing on key areas and topics in comics, such as key creators, censorship and copyright, the growth of fan cultures, the importance of genres in comics history, non-fiction comics, humour in comics, and international traditions.
Birkbeck is the location of the third annual Transitions Comica symposium, the only regular London based academic conference on comics. Transitions 3 is being hosted at Birkbeck on November 3rd 2012; the event is free to attend and will bring together academics, artists, and members of the public to stimulate debate and map new trends. To coincide with Transitions 3, Birkbeck is proud to announce that the college is offering two new short courses on comics: Comics, Comix, and Graphic Novels – Introductions and Approaches. These have helped to make Birkbeck a hub for the study of comics; until recently an under-rated and overlooked art form.
Comics juxtaposition of word and image make for a fascinating and compelling form of visual narrative. Despite the recent attention given to graphic novels in the media, they have a longer history that is often ignored. Known by many names – comics/comix/graphic novels/manga/ bande dessinée – they are instantly recognisable, as international and as diverse as the novel and cinema.
An introductory course will look at a wide range of comics in a variety of formats and consider ways of understanding them in their historical, cultural and generic contexts. The course traces a chronological trajectory from nineteenth century newspaper strips, through the birth of the superhero, via the subversive iconography of the sixties undergrounds, onto the rise of the graphic novel and beyond. Focusing predominantly on Anglo-American comics, the course also considers the influence of other national traditions such as French language bande dessinée and Japanese manga.
A more advanced course will examine in closer detail the relevant approaches that have informed the development of comics. The course is arranged thematically focusing on key areas and topics in comics, such as key creators, censorship and copyright, the growth of fan cultures, the importance of genres in comics history, non-fiction comics, humour in comics, and international traditions. Both courses are suitable for novices, the curious, and the ardent fan.
For more details on Transitions 3 visit http://www.bbk.ac.uk/english/our-research/conferences/comica-symposium-2012 .
For more details on our courses and how to apply visit our website or contact hasm@bbk.ac.uk .