Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Introduction:

Read, write, make!

This is a 3-credit elective course that will explore the ins and outs of comics art as a form of visual narrative, where we will investigate the how's and why's of panel placement, color choices, facial expressions, and more! This course is beneficial for those new to sequential art, looking for an elective, want to improve their own practice, or are preparing for PSU's Comics Studies program!

Meeting weekly at PCC SE, this course will focus on hands-on assignments to correspond with our weekly readings. You can see student work from the course here.  As this course is one-day-a-week and our coursework is the focus of small-group discussions, attendance is paramount to success.

Course Overview:

• 12-week course that has weekly sessions on Fridays from 1 - 4 pm at PCC SE, along with work submitted on D2L.

  • Review the types of classes at PCC by clicking here.

  • It is essential to attended the first class of the term.

• "Read, Write, Make" is the motto of the course! 

  • We start the term by reviewing industry-specific terminology and production processes to inform our readings of the required books. 

  • We will spend ~2-weeks discussing, analyzing, and being inspired by each book!

  • In each class, you will be presented with a lecture, key terminology, and a hands-on activity.

• Weekly Assignments:
  • Our weekly coursework is an opportunity to process and reflect on the lecture and reading. We will be making micro-comics and performing visual annotations for our weekly work. 

• We will have 2 "big" projects:

  • A student presentation project, where you will perform an in-depth research on a specified artist & cartoonist, applying industry terminology!

  • The Final Project in the class will allow you the opportunity to flex your creative skills and knowledge gained over the term by completing an 8-page mini-comic!

Fall 2025 Booklist (Required):

You can procure any edition of these books! 

• Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud

• MOM Mother of Madness Volume 1 by Emilia Clarke, Marguerite Bennett, Leial Leiz & Leila de Luca

• Season of the Bruja Volume 1 by Aaron Duran and Sara Soler
• Pretty Deadly Volume 1 by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Emma Rios
• Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen: Who Killed Jimmy Olsen? (issues 1-12) by Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber
• Marvels by Kurt Buseik and Alex Ross 

Many of these books are available through the Multnomah County Library and the HOOPLA app to read FOR FREE!

Basic Supplies:

• Books (listed above)

• Pencil/Color Pencil/Highlighter

• 8.5 x 11 paper

• Scanner/camera (a way to upload your work to D2L)

• Printer 

  • Use your PCC Print Credits!

  • FREE Printing at Multnomah County Libraries!

  • Jay can help, too!

Looking forward to the term!

Jay, Instructor

Your computer

Along with in-class participation, we will also be utilizing D2L (online.pcc.edu). It is recommended to participate in PCC classes that students are familiar with computers and the Internet. Students are responsible for their own software and computer equipment maintenance and setup.

• Please visit the TECH PANTHER TRACKS before you take any Remote or Online Classes!

Basic system requirements

• Access to a modern computer system with a supported operating system (OS) installed.
• A broadband internet provider or mobile carrier with LTE or better service.
  
  • If your download speed is less than 512 kbps, you may find it frustrating to take your online courses.
• An internet browser is installed on your computer that is preferred by D2L (Firefox or Chrome).
  • Download one of the recommended browsers.

Other software requirements

• Google Apps (Linked to your PCC Gmail Account)
  • Drive, Gmail, Slides
• Screenshots
• D2L
  
  

Resources for Student Preparedness:

• PCC's Online Learning Page: 
  • This is a great landing page that provides information on how online classes work, tips for online success, and where to find help/resources. 
    
    
• PCC's Online Start Guide for Students: 
  • This is a good place to go to get a foundation in Online Learning at PCC.
    
    
• PCC Panther Tracks:
  • The Student Affairs team has been hard at work revamping the Panther Tracks, the online guide for students at PCC! There are so many valuable resources and links provided in the Panther Tracks that can really help with overall academic success! 

Technology Assistance!

Need help with technology? Getting internet, a device, or how to use Drive or D2L? This is where you can meet with a DIGITAL NAVIGATOR to get you up to snuff for the new term! Digital navigators are available for 1-on-1 assistance at each campus. You can learn more here.