I-Search for Graphic Novels in The Classroom

I have chosen to explore Graphic Novels in the classroom.  My experience with graphic novels/comic books dates back into my childhood, though I didn't really get into them until I was 16.  It never even occurred to me that Graphic Novels would be okay in the classroom until I was in College.  In fact I was told by one of my peers in elementary school, while I was reading a comic, that novels, short stories, and magazines were all productive reading, but that all comics were trash and I shouldn't be reading one in school.  There were no graphic novels taught to me at CCRI either, it wasn't until I came to RIC that they started being assigned to me for class.  To this day though the only graphic novels I have been assigned are: Maus Book I, 100 Demons, The Arrival, God's Man, and a short selection from Persepolis.

A question I would really like to look into is which graphic novels are worthy in the classroom?  There seems to be an assertion that graphic novels are okay, and comic books are not, but it is really not so simple. Sometimes the difference is nothing more than the binding.  Some graphic novels can be as vacuous as anything, and some comic books have much to offer.  There is also a common belief that only certain types of graphic novels, like the graphic memoir (which is most of the graphic novels I've been assigned for class), are fine, but others, like the superhero comic, are not.  One thing I would like to explore is the more "taboo" graphic novels/comic books, like superheroes.  Not all superhero comics are the same, if one were to compare the first first seven issues of Supreme vol. 1 and the first seven issues Harbinger vol. 1 I think many would agree there is distinct difference in literary quality between the two (Harbinger being the one with literary quality).  How can it be determined which are appropriate for the classroom?  Perhaps a good place to start would be to see if they have well developed plot, characters, and theme.  I would like to know the different types of graphic novels/comics that have been taught in the classroom and the different ways in which they are taught.

I search for an I-Search

I had five I-Search ideas, but I needed to narrow it down to two. The digital assignment idea was the first to go, as it never really interested me that much. Next to go was the different assignments for different students idea because it didn't interest me quite as much as the other remaining three. The last to go was the idea about having students say what should be taught to them. This removal was tougher than the other two, but ultimately it is a topic that seems to have less information available, and was removed because it seemed less "do-able" than the other remaining two. Here is a further in-depth analysis of the final two.


 
1. What are the benefits of the literary analysis? By writing a literary analysis can a student can hone there critical thinking skills? If a student can dissect a piece of literature, will that help them with real world applications, like dissecting a politicians speech?

This is viable for the course. Literary analysis is a major part of high school education so looking into its real world applications could be important. This exploration would likely be highly do-able as well. There are likely plenty of people who could be interviewed on the topic and there is seems to be a decent amount of information readily available. This exploration could be sustainable, as honing critical thinking skills is something I am passionate about.



2. Do graphic novels belong in the classroom? Are graphic novels inherently poorer literature than the standard novel? What is the difference between a graphic novel and a comic book? If graphic novels are equal to literature, then what benefits would there be in teaching them in the classroom?

This is viable for the course, as graphic novels are making their way more and more into the classroom. This assignment would be highly do-able for me. I know a lot about the graphic novel/comic book field. I would be able to get my information from interviewing teachers and there seems to be a decent amount of information about this available.  This search would also be highly sustainable. I am highly interested in both graphic novels and the question "what literature is worthy to be taught in the classroom?" That is most certainly a question I would like to answer.