Graphic Narrative as Historiography

In the seminar /Graphic Narratives as Historiography/, we will study the questions as to where, when, why, and to what effect the medium of graphic narrative – encompassing many forms from the brief comic strip to the lengthy graphic novel – has intersected with forms of historiography. On the surface level, this primarily concerns fictionalized attempts at writing/drawing some -other- person's or epoch's history. However, we will also shed light on notions of 'history' implied in life writing in the comics medium. Last but not least, 'historiography' may be understood as 'comics historiography', i.e., the history of comics in a wider context of (mostly 20th-century) popular culture. In addition to theoretical readings made available via Moodle, participants will be required to purchase and read several comics, details TBA. Please note that this seminar will be based on a substantial pool of reading material. In the first few sessions of the seminar, before we start discussing actual graphic narratives, we will delve into the topic through a fictional prose text by Umberto Eco (The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana), which deals with the third of the above-listed aspects of historiography. To this end, participants are asked to purchase the following edition of Eco's novel and to read at least chapters 1 (-The Cruellest Month-) through 10 (-The Alchemist's Tower-) by the first session of the seminar. Eco, Umberto. The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana. Translated by Geoffrey Brock. London: Vintage (2005). Anglistik - Amerikanistik Universität Siegen 20161 SoSe 2016 Dr. Etter Lukas