Francophone Comics and Culture
When the cartoon The Adventures of Tintin appeared in 1929 in Belgium, French-language comics were uncommon. Today, Herge’s Tintin is famous throughout the world, and comic books and graphic novels are bestsellers. In this course we will examine the Francophone comic (la bande dessinée) as a unique narrative medium and cultural product. We will explore the position of the bande dessinée in francophone history and culture, with a particular focus on France, Belgium, Québec, and West Africa. We will examine how the bande dessinée provides a unique space for identity construction and cultural critique, involving national identity and mythology, gender and sexuality, and colonial and postcolonial discourse. No knowledge of French is required. 3 hrs. sem.