This course will focus on graphic novels of different genres and explore the ways in which the genre has developed in recent years. As students discuss influential contemporary graphic novels, they will consider how these visual/verbal texts can be interpreted from different theoretical points of view. Along with critical interpretation, students will also become familiar with the language of comics and develop a sense of how graphic narratives communicate meaning on different levels. The main assessment tasks include critical responses and a group project, that latter of which will involve students working collaboratively to create their own graphic narrative. Throughout the course students will also be given the opportunity to discuss how comics and graphic narratives can be used in the context of language teaching.