EN/SANE World is James Bucky Carter's enclave of English Education (EN) resources as well as a haven for those looking for information on Sequential Art Narratives in Education (SANE).
Hmm...I have mixed opinions about this. As a grad student, I wrote several of my term papers on comics. But I never sought publication for them because I wasn't sure if that's what I wanted to do with comics--give it to the academia I mean. I don't have a PhD or an MFA, which generally means that however long I've been studying comics, I'll likely never get to discuss things as an academic--in the field of comics or otherwise.
Granted, after checking out the CVs on some of the profs heading this journal, I'm relieved to see they aren't all lit. profs (only 2) and they even one member versed in the actual publication of comics. Still, I wrote on this concern at length when the Louvre opened an exhibit on comics: http://thedailypugle.blogspot.com/2009/02/louvre-invites-comics-its-trap-batman.html.
It's not like this is the ONLY journal on comics. There's ImageTexT, The International Journal of Comics Art, The Comics Journal, Image and Narrative, and several others.
Comics is already part of academia, so this new journal is not so "new" in its purpose as it is simply another outlet for already established academic channels of comics scholarship. In other words, comics has already been given to the academy (and has been for a while now), just not everybody knows it.
Say, you might consider joining the comics scholars listserve. It's out of the University of Florida. Do a google search for it and you'll find how to sign up with ease.
I'm well aware of comics turn in the academia; I just don't like it ;-)
I dunno, it seems most of the time that when the academia gets hold of something it becomes less...interesting? I've definitely heard ofsome of these journals, though I've only read The Comics Journal (most of which I found a tad bland).
But then again, I suppose I don't have to read this stuff, eh ;-)
I think I see what you're saying. Sort of "sucks the joy out of it" type of thing. I feel that sometimes myself. For a while I had to struggle to "just read and enjoy" my super-hero comics without looking for paper ideas in every single one of them. But, I was able to find a balance.
And there are those who will always enjoy good music, those who study it, and those who can do both. Same with any form of expression.
I personally like to see how academia tackles the comics world. Comics are now being looked at by philosophers, psychologists, sociologists, theologists. I love reading it all, and it doesn't dampen my enthusiasm for the latest Hulk comic.
I am pursuing my Phd. I think my dissertation is going to be something like, "Using Comics to Teach Anti-Violence" to elementary students.
I admit, I still have trouble "turning off" my newly found powers of "academic perception." For example, I finally got around to seeing Coraline the other night and my academic senses were tingling within the first couple of minutes :-/ I spent the rest of the movie trying to find all the Alice in Wonderland connections :-) Maybe once I've learned how to just "enjoy" art again, I'll be more open to this kind of academic attention.
In any event, that sounds like a great topic, Andy! Any chance your dissertation with be a comic or at least feature some comic chapters?
8 comments:
Hmm...I have mixed opinions about this. As a grad student, I wrote several of my term papers on comics. But I never sought publication for them because I wasn't sure if that's what I wanted to do with comics--give it to the academia I mean. I don't have a PhD or an MFA, which generally means that however long I've been studying comics, I'll likely never get to discuss things as an academic--in the field of comics or otherwise.
Granted, after checking out the CVs on some of the profs heading this journal, I'm relieved to see they aren't all lit. profs (only 2) and they even one member versed in the actual publication of comics. Still, I wrote on this concern at length when the Louvre opened an exhibit on comics: http://thedailypugle.blogspot.com/2009/02/louvre-invites-comics-its-trap-batman.html.
It's not like this is the ONLY journal on comics. There's ImageTexT, The International Journal of Comics Art, The Comics Journal, Image and Narrative, and several others.
Comics is already part of academia, so this new journal is not so "new" in its purpose as it is simply another outlet for already established academic channels of comics scholarship. In other words, comics has already been given to the academy (and has been for a while now), just not everybody knows it.
Say, you might consider joining the comics scholars listserve. It's out of the University of Florida. Do a google search for it and you'll find how to sign up with ease.
Thanks Bucky!
I'm well aware of comics turn in the academia; I just don't like it ;-)
I dunno, it seems most of the time that when the academia gets hold of something it becomes less...interesting? I've definitely heard ofsome of these journals, though I've only read The Comics Journal (most of which I found a tad bland).
But then again, I suppose I don't have to read this stuff, eh ;-)
I think I see what you're saying. Sort of "sucks the joy out of it" type of thing. I feel that sometimes myself. For a while I had to struggle to "just read and enjoy" my super-hero comics without looking for paper ideas in every single one of them. But, I was able to find a balance.
And there are those who will always enjoy good music, those who study it, and those who can do both. Same with any form of expression.
I personally like to see how academia tackles the comics world. Comics are now being looked at by philosophers, psychologists, sociologists, theologists. I love reading it all, and it doesn't dampen my enthusiasm for the latest Hulk comic.
I am pursuing my Phd. I think my dissertation is going to be something like, "Using Comics to Teach Anti-Violence" to elementary students.
I admit, I still have trouble "turning off" my newly found powers of "academic perception." For example, I finally got around to seeing Coraline the other night and my academic senses were tingling within the first couple of minutes :-/ I spent the rest of the movie trying to find all the Alice in Wonderland connections :-) Maybe once I've learned how to just "enjoy" art again, I'll be more open to this kind of academic attention.
In any event, that sounds like a great topic, Andy! Any chance your dissertation with be a comic or at least feature some comic chapters?
Good topic indeed, Andrew! :)
Post a Comment