A Guide to Comics Culture

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A GUIDE TO COMICS CULTURE. HOW TO READ COMIC BOOKS AND CREATE YOUR OWN /

6 weeks

/

90 minutes

/

1 lesson a week

/

live lessons online

ABOUT THE COURSE

Within just a few weeks, you will get acquainted with the phenomenon of comics, learn the basics of visual storytelling, write your first script, and even pitch it to the audience.

History of comics:

Golden age of comics
сomics today
non-American comics

Analysis of comics:

terminology and most common vocabulary used
basics of visual storytelling
development of argumentation skills

Creative writing:

draft of a short story
completed scenario of a comic
pitch of the comic in the form of a presentation

requirements

your English level is higher than A2

12+

There are two types of groups:

The difference is in the choice of literature: the adult program includes books with 18+ rating.

A2+

you are at least 12 years old

for teenagers / for adults

i

BASIC

A1

Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

A2

Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

INDEPENDENT

B1

Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

B2

Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

PROFICIENT

C1

Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

C2

Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE PORTAL – Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Who will enjoy the course

Newcomers

If you have never read any comics but thought these colorful glossy covers look attractive. We will try to convince you that comic books are real fiction.

Geeks

If you are a fan and always wanted to go deeper into the topic (probably even create a comic book on your own), it is a safe start with real results.

English lovers

If you want to improve your reading and writing skills in English and want to make it in an engaging way, this course is here to help with it all.

WHY YOU SHOULD LEARN SCRIPT WRITING

(AND DOSEN'T MATTER if YOU'VE never READ ANY COMICS)

The history of comics started long before cinematography. The main principles of visual narrative were formed by artists back then.

Since that time, visual culture has developed considerably.

So, learning more about comics and how they work is not only about focusing on a very particular topic, it's about finding out more about modern art in general.

2000

films and series are based on comics

150 000 000

6 WEEKS

print issues of comics are sold every year. ONLY in the US

to learn as much as you can

Find out more about comic books as a cultural and linguistic phenomenon through analysis of iconic comic stripes and discussion in groups.

Develop your reading and writing skills through analyzing best comic books in the history and doing creative home tasks.

Write your own comic book script using different approaches in working with narrative and world building.

Share your project with other students and vote for the best work. Find out about the further steps to reach audience.

Only you decide how intensely you will study. In the course, a wide range of comic books and creative tasks is suggested. None of it, except the final task, is obligatory.

Learning process

flexibility

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4

course outline

lesson 1.

HOW EVERYONE GOT OBSESSED WITH COMICS

We will find out what a comic really is, learn the main terms and have a look at the most iconic works of the Golden age of comics.

You will get acquainted with the main clichés used in comics, learn how to analyze comics and will even analyze the suggested frames on your own.

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2

lesson 2.

why everyone is still obsessed with comics

Who makes comics? Who are the main authors today? We will have a look at the list of comics you have to pay attention to and compare modern comics with those that were popular back in the days.

We will deconstruct the plot together, and you will do the same on your own.

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2

lesson 3.

I WANT TO WRITE A COMIC. WHERE DO I START?

We will learn how to come up with an idea of a comic and develop it, so you will be able to turn it into a finished product.

You will find out about the basics of script writing and write three drafts based on your own idea.

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2

lesson 4.

LET'S FINALLY WRITE A SCRIPT

We will turn one of your drafts into a short finished scenario. You will be able to work in groups or on your own.

We will start getting prepared for your final project.

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lesson 5.

ALTERNATIVE REALITY: OTHER COMMON APPROACHES IN COMICS WRITING

We will have a look at the main non-American comics from all over the world: starting from French ones and finishing with manga. You will have a chance to reimagine your comic in one of those stylistics.

In the second part of the lesson, we will get focused on the main mistakes beginners make.

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lesson 6.

Your projects. what's next?

We will have a showcase of your projects and vote for the most involving ones.

Once your script is ready, what you have to do next? We will discuss it together.

Final Q&A.

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teacher

Only when we analyze it, the text turns from a number of letters into something precious – when you ask questions and start looking for the answers. In a comic book, such a «conversation» may look more obvious than it usually is with books.

But in fact, comics give us a bigger room for interpretations. Simply because they are made of three textual modes: printed text, illustrations, and space organization (panels).

This is what we are going to start with – learn how to perceive these «dimentions».

English Teacher, enthusiastic Writer, and Project Manager in gaming industry

Dmitry gorbachev

a word from our students

Jaroslav, 13 y/o

I took the course “Language for geeks. A guide to comics culture." I learnt the history of comics and the main rules of making them. I wrote the script of my own comic and piched it. For me it was very useful that I practiced speaking and creative writing a lot. I would like to thank my teacher Dmitry, who made every lecture so interactive. Also, his English seemed cool like real British. I would highly recommend this course.

Nicole, 24 y/o

A Guide To Comics Culture completely changed the way I looked at comics. To be honest, I hadn't even thought about it as an art form and joined the course with much skepticism (the "script writing" thing got me).

But SO MANY discoveries I made with this course: about storytelling and the history of comic books. Especially for me, as an English learner, was valuable the amount of given vocabulary and the number of situations in which I could practice my language.

Took a course for adults and enjoyed the content really much. Hi to Dmitry — what an energetic teacher!

Pricing

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Group chat with your mates and access to additional resources

The course starts as soon as the group forms*

Personalized feedback for each home assignment

Full access to the lessons and home tasks for a single person

2.

1.

4.

3.

2.

Group chat with your mates and access to additional resources

The course starts as soon as the group forms*

Personalized feedback for each home assignment

Full access to the lessons and home tasks for TWO people

1.

3.

2.

Group chat with your mates and access to additional resources

The course starts right away

Full access to the lessons and home tasks for a whole group (4+ students)

1.

4.

3.

149

249

99

*

The groups are considered formed starting from 4 people.

You pay for the whole group as it is a group offer.

The prices are the following: