Graphic Novels

Prompt Questions to Help You Fill Up the Worksheet on Maus II

Question: What does it mean to find panels where the author directly or indirectly draws our attention to the limitations of his animal metaphor?

Answer: In Maus II, Art Spiegelman repeatedly comments on and attacks - directly and indirectly - his own animal metaphor... his own decision to draw human heads as cartoonish animal heads.

Pay attention to panels where the fake, non-realistic, or problematic nature of the animal heads is emphasized or exposed in some way.

Do you see panels where the organization of the human race into specific races/categories (represented as distinct animal species) breaks down or does not work?

What does Spiegelman gain and lose by using animals as metaphors for race, nationality, or ethnicity? Consider scenes where these metaphors appear inadequate or simplistic.

Do you notice real animals that contrast with the “fake” animal heads? Why does the author incorporate real animals into the story?

Can you identify panels where the animal heads are drawn differently? Look for small details. What is the meaning of these differences?

Are there specific scenes where the use of simplistic animal heads doesn’t work well, is problematic, or inappropriate? Look for instances where the animal heads or their simplicity clash with the experiences the characters are having.

WEEK 10 (1/2) (due April 2)

NEXT CLASS: Thursday, April 2

WORKSHOP ON MAUS II
TO JOIN US, SUBMIT, INDIVIDUALLY, A COMPLETE WORKSHEET

& BRING YOUR PAPER COPY OF MAUS II

1) READING: READ THE LAST 50 PAGES OF THE FAMOUS GRAPHIC NOVEL MAUS II BY ART SPIEGELMAN.

AS YOU READ, LOOK FOR SCENES/PANELS THAT CAN HELP US UNDERSTAND THE AUTHOR'S UNUSUAL DECISION TO DRAW ANIMAL HEADS.

EXAMINE WHY THE AUTHOR CHOSE:
- TO DRAW ANIMALS HEADS INSTEAD OF HUMAN HEADS
- TO DRAW THESE SPECIFIC ANIMAL SPECIES
- TO DRAW EACH ANIMAL FACE IN A SPECIFIC MANNER
- TO DRAW SOME HEADS AS HUMAN HEADS WEARING ANIMAL MASKS
FIND PANELS/SCENES WHERE THE AUTHOR, DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY,
- COMMENT ON HIS OWN ANIMAL METAPHOR
- DRAW OUR ATTENTION TO ITS STRENGTHS OR LIMITATIONS
TIP: Consider that the animal heads may be used to illustrate and comment on the Nazi ideology.

2) WORKSHEET: FINISH FILLING UP, INDIVIDUALLY, THE SECOND PART OF THIS WORKSHEET -- ON ART SPIEGELMAN'S USE OF ANIMAL HEADS.

COLLECT & RESPOND TO 15-20 SPECIFIC SCENES/PANELS FOR NEXT CLASS.

3) LEA SUBMISSION: SUBMIT TO LEA THE COMPLETED WORKSHEET.

Take care.

4th Learning Experience: UNMASKING NAZISM

Essay 2: Process Tasks (33.333%)

Nazi ideology & Anti-Semitism

WEEK 9 (due March 30)

NEXT CLASS: MONDAY, MARCH 30

WORKSHOP ON THE ALTERNATIVE MOVEMENT

MANDATORY TO ATTEND: YOUR INDIVIDUAL COURSE PACK
TO COMPLETE ONE SHORT IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENT

PLEASE BRING YOUR PAPER COPY OF MAUS II AS WELL

MAUS II: BEGINNING OF PROCESS TASKS (2nd essay project)

Process tasks will constitute 33.33% of your final grade for your second essay.

1) VIDEO: WATCH VERY CLOSELY THIS VIDEO ON THE NAZI IDEOLOGY.

AS YOU WATCH: IDENTIFY 6-10 SIGNIFICANT SPECIFIC POINTS to help us understand the Nazi point of view. Focus strictly on points that help us understand the Nazi ideology and how Nazis generally perceived others, themselves, and the human race as a whole.

ADD THESE POINTS TO THE FIRST PART OF THE WORKSHEET ON MAUS II, making sure to identify the specific time mark (#minutes #seconds) for each point in the video.
2) READING: READ THE FIRST 85 PAGES OF THE FAMOUS GRAPHIC NOVEL MAUS II BY ART SPIEGELMAN.

AS YOU READ, LOOK FOR SCENES/PANELS THAT CAN HELP US UNDERSTAND THE AUTHOR'S UNUSUAL DECISION TO DRAW ANIMAL HEADS.

EXAMINE WHY THE AUTHOR CHOSE:
- TO DRAW ANIMALS HEADS INSTEAD OF HUMAN HEADS
- TO DRAW THESE SPECIFIC ANIMAL SPECIES
- TO DRAW EACH ANIMAL FACE IN A SPECIFIC MANNER
- TO DRAW SOME HEADS AS HUMAN HEADS WEARING ANIMAL MASKS
FIND PANELS/SCENES WHERE THE AUTHOR, DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY,
- COMMENT ON HIS OWN ANIMAL METAPHOR
- DRAW OUR ATTENTION TO ITS STRENGTHS OR LIMITATIONS
TIP: Consider that the animal heads may be used to illustrate and comment on the Nazi ideology.

3) WORKSHEET: BEGIN TO FILL UP, INDIVIDUALLY, THE SECOND PART OF THIS SAME WORKSHEET -- ON ART SPIEGELMAN'S USE OF ANIMAL HEADS.

COLLECT & RESPOND TO AT LEAST 10 SPECIFIC SCENES/PANELS FOR NEXT CLASS.

Note: You will finish (and resubmit) this worksheet next week after reading the last 50 pages of the graphic novel. If you wish, you may read the full novel for next week and collect & respond to 15-20 specific panels/scenes (instead of just 10).

4) LEA SUBMISSION: SUBMIT THE WORKSHEET TO LEA.

Take care.

3rd Learning Experience: The Alternative Revolution

WEEK 8 (due March 23)

NEXT CLASS: MONDAY, MARCH 23

MANDATORY: BRING YOUR INDIVIDUAL COURSE PACK

TO ATTEND CLASS and JOIN THE DISCUSSION.

ESSAY: DUE MONDAY, MARCH 23, 8AM OR 12PM, ON LEA (more info here)

ESSAY 1: Works Cited Page

CLICK HERE to have information on your Works Cited page

★ You will need to create a distinct biographical entry for each volume discussed in your essay.

★★ The title of each volume is Superman and the sub-title is Earth One.
★★★ Include the two main authors (indicated on the cover).

PAGE LAYOUT:

https://champlaincollege.wixsite.com/essaywriting/workscited

Basic Book Format, with multiple volumes
Last Name, First Name. Title: Subtitle of the Book. Vol. #. Publisher, Publication Year.

Book with Two Authors
Gillespie, Paula, and Neal Lerner. The Allyn and Bacon Guide to Peer Tutoring. Allyn and Bacon, 2000.

eBook: Insert "E-Book," before the publisher

Silva, Paul J. How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing. E-book,
American Psychological Association, 2007.

WEEK 7 (2/2) (due March 23)

NEXT CLASS: THURSDAY, MARCH 19

BRING YOUR COURSE PACK!

Due date for the 1st essay: March 23, 8am or 12pm

Submit final copy to LEA

Save a copy of your typed draft before you start editing. Once you’ve made changes, save the edited version with a different file name -- to keep both your original typed draft and the edited copy separate.

1) TYPING: IN MICROSOFT WORD, TYPE YOUR DRAFT, EXACTLY AS IT IS, WORD FOR WORD.

As you type, you can only correct spelling, punctuation, and verb-subject agreement (e.g., "he say" > "he says").

AI Usage: You can give ChatGPT your draft (one photo at a time) and ask it to extract the handwritten text word-for-word, exactly as it is. Since your final copy must match your draft, verify ChatGPT’s transcription (every single word) to make sure it hasn’t misread your handwriting.

2) CONCLUSION: DRAFT YOUR CONCLUSION BY YOURSELF. NO AI.

SHARE WITH YOUR READER YOUR OWN IMPERFECT HUMAN THOUGHTS.

A SUDDEN CHANGE IN WRITING STYLE, TONE, OR QUALITY OF INSIGHTS WILL RESULT IN YOUR CONCLUSION, AND POSSIBLY YOUR ENTIRE ESSAY, NOT BEING ACCEPTED.

Keep the conclusion short: about 100-125 words.
Restate the thesis in a clear way, using different words.
Briefly remind the reader of the main point from the theory paragraph and the main point from the comic book analysis.
End by explaining why your discovery matters: what does this teach us about superhero stories, immigration, or social integration?

Two options for the ending (why it matters):

If applicable, refer back to the real-world issue or opening idea from the introduction so the essay feels unified.
Or, if your thesis argues that, in the end, the author supports conservative immigration goals or guidelines, the conclusion can end by discussing one or two negative effects of that policy. For example, you can mention negative effects for immigrants, such as who gets excluded or rejected, and negative effects for the larger community. This gives the conclusion a stronger sense of importance and offers your reader valuable insights to consider.

3) EDITING: EDIT YOUR DRAFT BY FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES:

Revisions can be done with or without AI. If you use AI, you can only use the prompts on Moodle in the AI Section: "1st Essay: TO EDIT YOUR DRAFT."
1. All revisions (with or without AI) must be clearly disclosed by inserting a comment in the margin for each modification: In Microsoft Word, select the specific word(s) you've modified, click on Insert and then on Comment. In the comment, indicate briefly the nature of the modification and (if you used AI) which permitted prompt you used.
2. No need to insert a comment when correcting punctuation (a comma, period, or semicolon), when correcting the spelling of a word, when correcting verb-subject agreement errors ("he says"), when correcting or adding determiners ("the," "a," "an," "this," "that," "these," or "those") or when deleting a word or sentence without replacing it.
3. No more than four words in a given sentence can be added or replaced.
4. One sentence per paragraph can be modified beyond four words, including the introduction and conclusion.

4) TITLE: USING THE TITLE PROMPT ON MOODLE, YOU CAN COLLABORATE WITH CHATGPT OR GEMINI TO GENERATE LISTS OF TITLES FOR YOUR ESSAY.

Don't forget to select your title and insert a comment to disclose your use of AI.

5) WORKS CITED & MLA FORMATTING: INCLUDE A WORKS CITED PAGE (link) ON THE PAGE THE FOLLOWS YOUR CONCLUSION & FORMAT YOUR FINAL COPY IN MLA STYLE (click).

6) LAST PROCESS TASK: WHETHER YOU USED AI OR NOT FOR THIS PROJECT, INCLUDE AN AI USAGE REPORT -- placed at the end of your essay following the works cited page:

This report should include:

1. A detailed description of whether you used AI for this project and how,
2. In multiple sentences, a thoughtful reflection on your experience using (or choosing not to use) AI in this project and its overall impact on your thinking and writing. If you did not use it, please share the reason(s) and reflect on the use of AI to support writing in an academic setting.

7) SUBMISSION: SUBMIT YOUR FINAL COPY TO LEA.

Take care.

WEEK 7 (1/2) (due March 16)

NEXT CLASS: MONDAY, MARCH 16

3rd MANDATORY DRAFTING SESSION

BRING YOUR DEVICE TO ACCESS THE COMIC BOOKS

1) REVIEW: TO IMPROVE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE 2ND PARAGRAPH, EXAMINE CLOSELY THIS FICTIONAL EXAMPLE.
You may print a copy and bring it to class as a guide when you will draft your 2nd paragraph.

2) TYPING: IN MICROSOFT WORD, TYPE YOUR NOT-YET-COMPLETE DRAFT, EXACTLY AS IT IS, WORD FOR WORD.

As you type, you can only correct spelling, punctuation, and verb-subject agreement errors (e.g., "he says" > "he says").

AI Usage: You can give ChatGPT your draft (one photo at a time) and ask it to extract the handwritten text word-for-word, exactly as it is. Since your final copy must match your draft, verify ChatGPT’s transcription (every single word) to make sure it hasn’t misread your handwriting.

3) EDITING: NOW EDIT and FINALIZE YOUR NOT-YET-COMPLETE DRAFT BY FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES:

Revisions can be done with or without AI. If you use AI, you can only use the prompts on Moodle in the AI Section: "1st Essay: TO EDIT YOUR DRAFT."
1. All revisions (with or without AI) must be clearly disclosed by inserting a comment in the margin for each modification: In Microsoft Word, select the specific word(s) you've modified, click on Insert and then on Comment. In the comment, indicate briefly the nature of the modification and (if you used AI) which permitted prompt you used.
2. No need to insert a comment when correcting punctuation (a comma, period, or semicolon), when correcting the spelling of a word, when correcting verb-subject agreement errors ("he says"), when correcting or adding determiners ("the," "a," "an," "this," "that," "these," or "those") or when deleting a word or sentence without replacing it.

3. No more than four words in a given sentence can be added or replaced.

4. One sentence per paragraph can be modified beyond four words, including the introduction and conclusion.

Everything you write must sound like you! If AI suggests words that you don't know how to pronounce, cannot define without a dictionary, or wouldn't typically use, do NOT use them.

Shifts in tone, style, and word choice will confuse your reader and negatively impact the quality of your communication - and your grade. The use of AI should therefore be transparent, blending seamlessly with your voice and authentic writing style.

Take care.

WEEK 6 (2/2) (due March 12)

NEXT CLASS: THURSDAY, MARCH 12
Mandatory 2nd drafting session of the 1st essay

PREREQUISITE: A SATISFACTORY OUTLINE

Bring your device, which can only be used to access Superman: Earth One,
and (if needed) a new printed copy of your outline.

You may also bring paper copies of the essay guidelines, rubric,

and example of a 2nd body paragraph.

1) (if needed) OUTLINE: REVISE YOUR OUTLINE.

IMPORTANT: An outline is a structured set of keywords or very short phrases (3-4 words) that provides a framework for your essay, like a skeleton structure. Only the thesis can be a fully developed sentence.

Workflow to choose your thesis and to outline your 2nd paragraph:

1. First, choose one extended scene or character the author uses to comment on the conservative immigration policy, such as the cemetery scene, Clark's integration into the Daily Planet, Superman's second trip to Borada, or the character of Eddie Monroe.
2. Second, identify which one guideline or one goal of the policy the author is commenting on in this scene or through this character. This will be the topic of your 2nd paragraph.
3. Third, identify two key details or panels in this scene or related to this character. These two panels/details need, together, to support your thesis. In your second paragraph, you will describe and analyze these two panels/details one at a time. Determine the best order to discuss them; for example, you can discuss them in chronological order, or you can move from a detail that supports the conservative element to another detail that challenges it.
4. Fourth, identify the specific "quotes" that will support your analysis.

2) (if needed) OUTLINE: RE-SUBMIT TO LEA YOUR REVISED OUTLINE IN THE SAME ASSIGNMENT: Complete Outline (ESSAY 1)

Remember to bring a paper copy of your revised outline to class. You will need it to guide you during the drafting process.

3) REVIEW: ESSAY GUIDELINES & GRADING RUBRIC

4) PREPARATION: TO IMPROVE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE 2ND PARAGRAPH, EXAMINE CLOSELY THIS FICTIONAL EXAMPLE.

You may print a copy and bring it to class as a guide when you will draft your 2nd paragraph.

Take care.

Essay 1: Final Output Rubric (66.67%)

WEEK 6 (1/2) (due March 9)

NEXT CLASS: MONDAY, MARCH 9
Answering questions about your printed outline,
and beginning hand-writing your essay in a booklet.

Bring a printed, paper copy of your outline, and
your device, which can only be used to access Superman: Earth One.

You may also bring paper copies of the essay guidelines and rubric.

1) ESSAY GUIDELINES: READ CLOSELY THE GUIDELINES FOR YOUR FIRST ESSAY AND THE RUBRIC FOR THE FINAL OUTPUT (representing 66.66% of the final grade).

Here is the list of process tasks for this project (representing 33.33% of the final grade).

2) REREADING: REREAD CLOSELY THE PAGES IN SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE RELATED TO THE SCENE(S) OR THE CHARACTER YOU PLAN TO ANALYZE IN YOUR ESSAY.

3) OUTLINE: DEVELOP & SUBMIT TO LEA A COMPLETE OUTLINE (clear HERE to download a blank outline).

Important: An outline is a structured set of keywords or very short phrases (3-4 words) that provides a framework for your essay, like a skeleton structure. Only the thesis can be a complete sentence.

Choose a valid thesis that aligns with our class discussions: your thesis is a clear and single claim about Straczynski's position on the conservative immigration typically promoted by superhero narratives.

Essays (final outputs) that merely argue that Superman: Earth One is fully conservative, fully anti-conservative, or equally both cannot achieve a grade higher than 65% on the final output.

1. First, choose one extended scene or character the author uses to comment on the conservative immigration policy, such as the cemetery scene, Clark's integration into the Daily Planet, Superman's second trip to Borada, or the character of Eddie Monroe.
2. Second, identify which one guideline or one goal of the policy the author is commenting on in this scene or through this character. This will be the topic of your paragraph.
3. Third, identify two key details or panels in this scene or related to this character. These two panels/details need, together, to support your thesis. In your second paragraph, you will describe and analyze these two panels/details one at a time. Determine the best order to discuss them; for example, you can discuss them in chronological order, or you can move from a detail that supports the conservative element to another detail that challenges it.
4. Fourth, identify the specific "quotes" that will support your analysis.

In your outline, include, in bullet points, the context of each detail or panel (when? where? who? what?). A person who has not read the book should be able to visualize the panels, details, and words on the page.

Only Permitted AI Use for the Outline: You may use ChatGPT to suggest different logical sequences for your points in your first paragraph on the theory (you may also simply follow the teacher's sequence in the outline). Use the prompt in the AI section on Moodle. Choose the sequence that makes most sense to you (as a storyteller), and keep in mind that your target audience knows very little about superheroes.

Have a most pleasant Reading Break!

WEEK 5 2/2 (due Feb. 26)

NEXT CLASS: THURSDAY, Feb. 26

CLASS DISCUSSION & GROUP WORK ON SUPERMAN COMICS

for students who will have completed the process task below

Bring your PAPER or DIGITAL COPIES of

the two volumes of Superman: Earth One

1) 2ND VOLUME: PLEASE READ THE 2ND VOLUME OF SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE.

AS YOU READ, FILL UP - AND THEN SUMBIT TO LEA - THIS WORKSHEET ON THE SECOND VOLUME.

Based on the diverse immigration policies discussed in class, choose three policies that you believe hold the most potential for analyzing Straczynski’s superhero narrative.

As you read the 2nd volume:

Identify 7-10 scenes that promote and go against these three policies as well as the two main goals of the immigration policies typically promoted by superhero stories.

For each policy and goal, identify two scenes: one that promotes this element of the immigration policy, and one that contradicts it or promotes the opposite view. For example, find a scene that encourages readers to be selfless, and find another scene that encourages readers to be selfish.

In each box, each scene must be described and connected to the immigration policy in at least two fully developed sentences.
You may leave three boxes empty. If you struggle to fill all the boxes, revise your selection of policies or include one or two (maximum) scenes from the first volume.

Do not focus only on the author's use of the character of Superman/Kent. Villains are, as a rule, used as counter-examples (promoting behaviours readers and immigrants should avoid). And do not forget the other secondary characters, especially the character of Eddie.

Take care.

WEEK 5 1/2 (due Feb. 23)

NEXT CLASS: MONDAY, Feb. 23

IN-CLASS DRAFTING OF 1ST PARAGRAPH

(mandatory to submit this paragraph)

BRING: YOUR LAPTOP & COPIES OF SUPERMAN VOLUMES 1 + 2

(if you do not have access to a laptop or tablet,

please bring a printed copy of your outline)

1) OUTLINE - PART 1: FILL UP - AND SUBMIT TO LEA - ONLY THE SECTION OF YOUR ESSAY OUTLINE (.doc) THAT RELATES TO THE THEORETICAL ELEMENTS DISCUSSED IN CLASS (fill up the first page of the outline only) (leave the sections on your thesis and 2nd paragraph blank).

Filling up this section of the outline will allow you to (1) rethink about our class discussions and (2) help you evaluate your understanding of the theoretical concepts.

An outline is a structured set of keywords or very short phrases (3-4 words max) that provides a framework for your essay, like a skeleton structure. Only the thesis can be a complete sentence.
Do your best to make sense of our class discussions. I will have time in-class to answer your questions and clarify difficult theoretical concepts.

AI Usage: You may only use the AI prompt on Moodle to brainstorm different ways to organize the points in your first paragraph. That said, you may also simply keep the sequence provided in the outline. If you choose a different sequence, renumber the points in your outline to reflect the new order.

2) FORUM ON 1ST VOLUME: ADD AT LEAST TWO THOUGHTFUL POSTS, INCLUDING A TOTAL OF AT LEAST 200 WORDS, TO THE FORUM ON THE 1ST VOLUME OF SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE.

You may add new posts or reply to your peers, or both!

Discuss the conservative and anti-conservative implications of specific scenes and characters in the first volume. Specifically, do they promote a conservative or an anti-conservative mode of social integration? Which specific elements of the conservative immigration policy (discussed in class) do they support, oppose, or revise?

You will notice that this forum is in a different forum style; participants may create topics, each topic generating its own discussion thread. A topic can be about a specific character, a specific scene or a specific element of the conservative immigration policy. You can create new topics or contribute to existing topics.

Take care.