Comics in the Classroom -- A History

[Andy]

I'm taking a graduate class called "History & Philosophy of Art Education". I had to choose a topic to research for a midterm paper and my paper will be on the history of comic books. I would also like to examine their use in schools -- or the lack thereof. I know for a time in the 50's they were all but banned everywhere, but their acceptance in classrooms today is becoming increasingly widespread.

I have tons of websites, but I'm looking for good books on the history of comics. I will also have to reference "refereed journals" or educational journals. If anyone knows of any good books, let me know!

[Stan Sakai]

Check out the website of the National Association of Comics Art Educators (NACAE) at:

http://www.teachingcomics.org

They also have a message board. Maybe they can direct you.

Certainly, one of the most important books about teaching about comics is Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud.

[Usagi]

Well...... I dont particularlly know an sites...but that DC Comic book Charator Dictiobary seems to be something neat to see for your paper?- -just a suggestion

[Tim]

I had a friend who took a course about comics as literature at American University in Washington, D.C. I believe that they taught Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, etc.

Perhaps you could search schools and their course books to get a good idea of what schools teach using comics and how they designate those credits (fine art or literature?).

You should post a link to your paper here in the forum when it's done.

[Andy]

Tim, that's a great idea about noting some of the colleges that actually use comics in courses. I will post a link to the paper when I'm finished. It will probably be a couple monthes.

Thanks Stan for the book suggestion and website. I'm an art teacher, so that site will come in handy.

Just curious...does anyone have any memories from their school years? For those of us older folk, comics were pretty much "verboten", were they not?

They certainly are becoming much more widespread in educational circles and I think that's great.

[Steve Hubbell]

I'm taking a graduate class called "History & Philosophy of Art Education". I had to choose a topic to research for a midterm paper and my paper will be on the history of comic books. I would also like to examine their use in schools -- or the lack thereof. I know for a time in the 50's they were all but banned everywhere, but their acceptance in classrooms today is becoming increasingly widespread.[/b]

Tim, that's a great idea about noting some of the colleges that actually use comics in courses. I will post a link to the paper when I'm finished. It will probably be a couple monthes.

Thanks Stan for the book suggestion and website. I'm an art teacher, so that site will come in handy.

Just curious...does anyone have any memories from their school years? For those of us older folk, comics were pretty much "verboten", were they not?

They certainly are becoming much more widespread in educational circles and I think that's great.

This is definitely my favorite use of comics in a class-room (also the only one I'm familiar with). Shows how much research Stan puts into Usagi Yojimbo...

http://web.pdx.edu/~levia/earlyj.html

Abayo...

[takematsu]

For those of us older folk, comics were pretty much "verboten", were they not?

I remember a pile of mid- to late-60's Action comics appearing in my Grade 4 room as a thing to do when finished an assignment early-- that would have been 1975 or so. Of course, I'm in the place where socialized universal healthcare was invented, so we're not a good indicator of normalcy for North America.

[cynlee]

Back in the late '80s early '90s I use to have my second and then third graders write a class comic book. I use to hand out copies of "Groo the Wanderer" (a particular favorite of one second grade class!), "Tales of the Beanworld", and "Usagi Yojimbo" as prizes for homework, spelling, etc.

Then the riots happened, and I sort of lost my love for doing these kinds of things.

But I've known other teachers who have comics in the classroom-- after all, reading is reading.

As long as they aren't reading during one of my hard-planned lessons!

So, good luck with your class and goals.

[mysterycycle]

One of the best all-around books on comics that I've read - which includes the most inclusive history of comics that I've been presented with - is Understanding Comics, by Scott McCloud.

Of course, it's in a sequential art format, so if you plan to quote directly from it, there may be some "translation issues." Still, if I remember correctly, he's got a decent bibliography to work from, as well.

[Andy]

I'm definitely going to have to check that out. I visitted his website today. It is most impressive.