IL320 Comics 2: Developing Story and Character Syllabus

Instructor: Shane McDermott              smcdermott@mca.edu       

Office: Gibson Hall # 156                        Hours: M/W 4-5:30 pm

IL320 Comics 2: Developing Story and Character                                                                                                  T/TR 2-4:30 pm

Course Objectives

Students will create three short-form comics from various narrative genres including autobiography, memoir, journalism, activism, historical non-fiction, adaptation, and creative fiction. Professional techniques are strengthened and personal styles are developed during the creation of these engaging stories. Additionally, these short comics form a foundation that long-form comics can be built upon in future Comics classes. Prerequisites: IL220

Course Outcomes

The successful student will achieve the following course outcomes:

• Create a portfolio of comics work that reflects one’s skills and ideas.

• Begin planning career goals.

• Contextualize how artistic and professional skills fit into the larger discipline.

• Take risks and build from failure.

Grading - Three Comics Projects (25% each)

These comics will be graded on creativity (is the story original and compelling), visual storytelling (clarity of content), draftsmanship (are the characters and environments thoughtfully and effectively rendered), and lastly, technique (the professional design and presentation of the comic).

• Incomplete work is graded based on the amount completed by the due date. The work is eligible for a higher grade upon completion.
  
  
• Late work is work that is not presented at all on the due date and receives an automatic zero. The work is eligible for a higher letter grade up to a B and no higher if completed by the following week. The potential higher grade is lowered a half-letter each week that it is late. (B- after two weeks, C+ after three weeks, C after four weeks, and C- after five weeks)
  
  
• Additional points may be deducted for imagery that is unclear, compositional oversights, misspellings, or an unprofessional presentation.
  
  

Grading - Visual Development (25%)

Storylines, scripts, character sketches, and environment studies will be completed for each comic and turned in before each critique. Two fully developed Character Design Sheets will be completed for one of the three comics.

Execution and Presentation of Comics and Visual Development work

All comics will be scanned at a resolution of at least 300 and presented digitally.

Attendance/Tardiness

• Arriving late to class or leaving early can be marked as a tardy.
• Being tardy three times equals one absence.
• Being tardy for critique irreversibly lowers the project one full letter grade.
• When possible and as soon as possible, notify your instructor of an impending tardy or absence.   
  
  

Attendance/Absences

• There is no penalty for 2 absences in this class.
• The final grade is lowered half a letter grade upon each additional absence up to a fifth absence.
• The sixth absence results in an automatic failing grade for the semester.

Classroom Etiquette

Professionalism: Students are expected to behave professionally in class. Critiques will be focused on the work and not on the individual student. Comments or behavior of racist, misogynist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic or a generally hostile nature will not be tolerated and requests for preferred pronouns will be respected.

Cell phones: Turn cell phone ringers off during class. DO NOT answer your phone in class. It’s rude. You may quietly exit class and then answer or return the call if it is related to a serious situation.

Music: Headphones are permitted, but ONLY during in-class work when I am not instructing and ONLY if low enough that you can still hear me if I address you. Do not play music through the speakers.

Media: Videos are not allowed.

Contact

The best way to contact me is at smcdermott@mca.edu.  Please give your email a clear, descriptive subject line because I’m old and easily confused.  In turn, be sure to check your MCA email account regularly because I will contact you if there are any last minute changes to an assignment.

Class Folder: Each of you will have a folder with your name on it inside our IL320 class folder on the dali server. This is where you will place your work by the specified due dates. The individual assignment sheets will contain instructions for proper naming conventions. Improperly named files will be considered incomplete.

Class Blog: There is a class blog at mcacomics2.blogspot.com. There you will find digital copies of this syllabus, the class schedule, and class assignments.

Health and Safety

All students must comply with health and safety regulations. Of particular relevance to this class will be the disposal of art materials. The classroom is provided with a sink, but only water should be poured down the sink’s drain. All other materials should be collected for appropriate processing. You will be required to have an MSDS (material safety data sheet) with any and all materials you bring to class. MSDS sheets can be found online at DickBlick.com. Keep the sheets with your materials when you bring them to class.  Some materials require latex gloves, goggles, or even masks. When using such materials you will be required to take the necessary safety measures in class. If you have turned in MSDS for materials used in a previous semester then you need only update existing supplies and record any new materials you use in class this semester.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Students with a special learning need are encouraged to contact Student Affairs or Achievement Center Support Staff as soon as possible. Reasonable accommodations (such as extended time for exams, readers, scribes, and interpreters) are provided on an individual basis as determined by documented need. It is the student’s responsibility to provide authorized documentation to Student Affairs or Achievement Center Support Staff as early in the semester as possible and Student Affairs will then provide documentation to the instructor.

Course Content and Title IX Reporting

Students should be aware that information disclosed to faculty (whether through assignments or as a personal disclosure) that indicate experiencing sexual harassment, abuse, or violence while a student at Memphis College of Art, requires that your instructor as a “mandatory reporter” disclose this information to Student Affairs staff to ensure students’ safety and welfare are addressed. Student Affairs staff will contact you, and/or those involved, to make you aware of accommodations, remedies, and resources available at Memphis College of Art.