Using graphic novels for student learning

By Lucy Atkinson, PhD in Postwar Recovery Studies programme, Politics and Research Fellow in Education.

The rise and popularity of graphic novels cannot be underestimated and offer numerous opportunities for student learning.  

Most significantly the power of the medium has reached the upper echelons of the literary world. Sabrina, a graphic novel by Nick Drnaso exploring ideas of grief and loss along side indoctrination, was long listed for the Man Booker Prize. The New York Times and The Guardian both have dedicated webpages for graphic publications. In these forums comics and graphics novels are celebrated, criticised and explored. Distinction between the two forms are often a point of confusion, understanding of which may be a sign of being in or out of relevant communities. Here though, divergence between the forms is not significantly important. What we have is a rich opportunity to embrace the medium, ride on growing popularity and give our students opportunities for personal development.

I’ve always been a fan of TinTin, his adventures to far flung places absorbed me as a child. My interest in the Middle East, on reflection probably influenced to some extent by TinTin, lead to some time living in Jerusalem. Describing the city is a challenge, while you may be able to pin some words to the major sights, daily experiences are often beyond any lexicon. I had no way of explaining my feelings, emotions and complexity of life in the city. Until I read Jerusalem by Guy Delisle, he captured the city and its nuance. He effectively communicates the way in which communities interact, daily wonders and the bazaar which are only every seen in Jerusalem. This book became my main recommendation to all who asked ‘how’s life?’. Where my words failed Delisle’s pictures could respond. This book is now what I call my ‘gateway graphic’. Overwhelmed by the accuracy and nuance of Delisle’s work I fell deep into the world of graphic novels. What a wonderful world it is.

Images from ProQuest's Syndetics Unbound

Graphic material can be easier for those with different learning styles to engage with complex ideas and history (Portraits of Violence An illustrated History of Radical Thinking, Arab of the Future, Red Rosa). Personal memoirs can take history and political understanding to the very personal reality (Game for Swallows, Poppies of Iraq). Critical realism can be examined with the opportunity to explore different personal experiences and perspectives (Rolling Blackouts, How to understand Israel in 60 days). The potential of such material on students’ professional and personal development is thrilling.

The use of graphic novels/comics in education has been explored in relation to Shakespeare

and in Holocaust work .The use of this graphic methods in social research is a growing field. The opportunity to use graphic novels in our university classrooms are also numerous. I am looking forward to using them in my coming seminars and using them to support student learning. Recent additions to the library collection have been catalogued in relation to their theme, for example Freedom Hospital in Civil Conflict, rather than in Art. This offers opportunity to further explore the potential value and impact of graphic material in students learning.

The developing interest in graphic novels is an opportunity that should not be missed.

Visit the University of York Library collections webpage to check out the graphic novel titles we currently have available.