93575 - Workshop on Children Literature (G.F)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the workshop, the student: - knows how to apply what was covered in the integrated course within a simulated learning environment; - knows how to reflect critically in a group on the proposed topics.

Course contents

The workshop offers a theoretical and practical exploration of comics and graphic novels, investigating their origins, evolution, and contemporary developments. Starting with the analysis of some classic comics and graphic novels, we will then discuss some contemporary works - picturebooks and novels - that can be referred to as 'hybrid'. In addition to the languages and forms typical of their genres, these books incorporate those of comics, thus becoming examples of complexity, semantic richness, and innovation.

International students must not attend the workshop.

Readings/Bibliography

Critical essays will be suggested during the workshop, depending on the issues that will emerge from the collective discussion and from the specific interests of students.

Teaching methods

The workshop is based on a pedagogical approach that intertwines theoretical aspects and empirical activities, fostering critical reflection, discovery, interaction, and collaboration among students. Specifically, the theoretical presentations will be complemented by moments of analysis and group discussion of picturebooks, graphic novels, and hybrid novels. Alongside books that are sophisticated in terms of aesthetic choices and content, editorial products of questionable aesthetic and literary quality will be shown, and they will also be the subject of group analysis and discussion.

Assessment methods

During the workshop, participants will be asked to find 'hybrid' picturebooks or novels that are well-crafted both in terms of narrative and illustration, and in terms of the relationship between the two communication codes. Students will then be required to produce a written analysis of these, to be submitted within thirty days of the workshop's end.

The workshop's assessment, the procedures for which will be explained during the first meeting, will consist of "failed" (in which case the workshop must be retaken the following year) or "passed" with a score of -1/0/+1. This score will be added to or subtracted from the grade obtained in the oral exam.

There is no grade out of 30 for the workshop, with the exception of those students who, transferring from other degree programs, have had the 8 credits from the children's literature exam recognized and need to make up only 1 credit for the workshop: for these students, the grade will be out of 30 and will coincide with the grade for the entire exam.

Teaching tools

Video-projection of picturebooks, graphic novels and excerpts from hybrid novels.

Picturebooks, graphic novels, and hybrid novels to view and browse in the classroom.

Office hours

See the website of Elena Guerzoni