Prerequisite(s): ARFD 100 or ARFD 102 or PRDN 110; and ARIL 225 or ARFD 200 or ARST 204 or VCDS 201 or ARTX 201 or PRDN 201. This course explores how to design and write a graphic novel, an influential medium for both conventional and alternative storytelling. Students will write, design and execute their own 15- to 25-page graphic novel, developing strategies for visual storytelling and discovering a variety of approaches to building a narrative. The course will delve into the history of comics and graphic arts, introduce students to a variety of drawing modes and narrative approaches and show them how to visually analyze popular graphic novels. Readings will include classic and contemporary works by such renowned artists and writers as Alison Bechdel, R. Crumb, Art Spiegelman, Emil Ferris, Marjane Satrapi and Alan Moore. May be repeated for a maximum of nine credits.