Middle East Illustrated
Verbal and Visual Storytelling in Graphic Novels

T Th 1:30-3:20pm
Selim S. Kuru

Welcome to Middle East Illustrated! This course explores the powerful blend of verbal and visual expression in graphic novels and animations focused on the Middle East. Through close readings, discussions, and creative exercises, you’ll dive into how images and words interact to tell complex stories.

We'll examine diversity in the Middle East, a region divided by borders but rich in cultural variety, while considering how issues like Orientalism, stock imagery, and different ways of seeing shape our understanding. Along the way, you’ll learn about both the history and modern realities of Middle Eastern cultures.

You’ll also develop skills in visual and verbal literacy—key tools in today’s media-driven world. While the focus is on graphic novels and animation, you’re encouraged to include films, video games, and anime in your projects and portfolios. Get ready to think creatively and critically as we explore the art of graphic novel: this particular way of storytelling!

Learning Objectives

Students will read, write and draw (doodle if necessary) as well as translate from visual to verbal expression as a means to

• strengthen skills in reading and looking analytically and critically
• establish a basic knowledge of Near and Middle East since the second half of the 20th century
• appreciate the issues related to diversity in the region as well as among artists of the graphic novels.
• consider an evolving genre (graphic novel) creatively
• practice writing skills by producing portfolio entries, in-class writing exercises, and essays that require peer review, editing, and revision
• practice doodling/drawing/sketching (as much as they can) [I am not a drawing instructor, but I love to communicate with shapes, emoji, to draw and copy, and I would like to dare  my students  to use their pens to express themselves in alphabetic and non-alphabetic shapes, signs and symbols]
• understand representation and subliminal messages inherent to images as well as language

By the end of the course students are expected to develop (1) an appreciation  of visual and verbal literacy, (2) a better understanding of diversity in Near and Middle East, and (3) better skills to express themselves.

Required Texts

The Book of Devices (tr Key)	Anar
Ways of Seeing	Berger
Understanding Comics	McCloud
V.1-2 Persepolis, Story of a Childhood	Satrapi
Palestine	Sacco
Waltz with Bashir	Folman
Online short topical readings

*Online readings will be available under the Files tab. PDF of Waltz with Bashir will be available. 

Course Requirements

Students are expected to complete the required readings, to attend and participate in class discussions. Assignments include online responses and discussion (due dates for which may differ, so please pay attention to the Modules tab for due dates), a midterm essay, in-class exercise notebook,  group projects. If there is interest in work on portfolio pieces, students should contact the instructor.

Final grades will be determined as follows:

#1Midterm Essay: 500 - 750 words (%25)

#2 Assignments, Discussions (%30)

#3 Weekly Participation Grade: Student notebooks and attendance to in-class discussions (%20)

#4 Group project: Check modules for updates (%25)

Grading Scale

4.0 – 97-100
3.9 – 95-96
3.8 – 93-94
3.7 – 92
3.6 - 91
3.5 – 90
3.4 – 89
etc.

POLICIES

Student Conduct

Please restrict your use of computers, mobile devices (tablets, mobile phones) during class unless it is not a part of the class exercises.

Restrict your use of AI tools for reference and drafting purposes, please share a link to the tool for each instance you employ an AI tool and specify your use of the tool as a reference. Also, inform yourself about AI, this will help you to use LM tools more responsibly. This  short academic article may help.

The University takes academic integrity very seriously. Behaving with integrity is part of our responsibility to our shared learning community. If you’re uncertain about if something is academic misconduct, ask me. I am willing to discuss questions you might have.

Acts of academic misconduct may include but are not limited to:

• Cheating (working collaboratively on quizzes/exams and discussion submissions, sharing answers, and previewing quizzes/exams)
• Plagiarism (representing the work of others as your own without giving appropriate credit to the original author(s))
• Unauthorized collaboration (working with each other on assignments)

Concerns about these or other behaviors prohibited by the Student Conduct Code will be referred for investigation and adjudication by (include information for specific campus office).

Students found to have engaged in academic misconduct may receive a zero on the assignment (or other possible outcome).

The University of Washington Student Conduct Code (WAC 478-121) defines prohibited academic and behavioral conduct and describes how the University holds students accountable as they pursue their academic goals. Allegations of misconduct by students may be referred to the appropriate campus office for investigation and resolution. More information can be found online at https://www.washington.edu/studentconduct/

Students are expected to attend class and to participate in all graded activities, including midterms and final examinations. A student who is anticipating being absent from class due to a Religious Accommodation activity needs to complete the Religious Accommodations request process by the second Friday of the quarter. Students who anticipate missing class due to attendance at academic conferences or field trips, or participation in university-sponsored activities should provide a written notice to the instructor ahead of the absence. The instructor will determine if the graded activity or exam can be rescheduled or if there is equivalent work that can be done as an equivalent, as determined by the instructor.

Incomplete Grades

Incomplete grades may only be awarded if a student is doing satisfactory work up until the last two weeks of the quarter.

Undergraduate students must not register for courses in which they have received an Incomplete, since a grade earned in a repeat course will not be recorded as an Incomplete conversion grade. To obtain credit for the course, an undergraduate student must convert an Incomplete into a passing grade no later than the last day of the next quarter.

An Incomplete grade not made up by the end of the next quarter (summer excluded) will be converted to the grade of 0.0 by the Registrar unless the instructor has indicated, when assigning the Incomplete grade, that a grade other than 0.0 should be recorded if the incomplete work is not completed. The original Incomplete grade is not removed from the transcript.

Just in Case

It is important that we take care of ourselves inside and outside of class by learning how to care for our body, mind and spirit. Toward that end, there are many different kinds of support services on campus, including the
Counseling Center, Hall Health, and the IMA. If you are concerned about yourself or a friend who is struggling, Safecampus, at 1-800-685-7233, is a very helpful resource to learn more about how to access campus-based support services. Please save the number for Safecampus, 1-800-685-7233, into your cell phones."

Access and Accommodations

Your experience in this class is important to me. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course.

If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DRS at 206-543-8924 or uwdrs@uw.edu or disability.uw.edu. DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and DRS. It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.

Religious Accommodations

State law requires faculty to provide students with the University’s language about religious accommodations or a link to the Religious Accommodations Policy webpage in syllabi or elsewhere. The following language closely mirrors that of the law itself and was developed in close collaboration with Faculty Senate and the AGs office.

“Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/).”

Sex Discrimination and Sex-related Harassment 

The University of Washington prohibits sex discrimination and sex-based harassment and expects all UW community members to respect one another in our shared academic and work environments. Sex discrimination and sex-based harassment can include sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, unwanted sexual contact, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, and discrimination based on sex.

Students who believe they have experienced sex discrimination or sex-based harassment are encouraged to contact a Title IX case manager by making a Title IX report. The case manager can provide guidance on available support resources and resolution options.

You can also access these additional resources directly:

• The Know Your Rights & Resources guide provides information for any member of the UW community who has experienced sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, or retaliation for addressing these behaviors.
• The Pregnancy & Related Conditions web page provides information on support and reasonable modifications related to attending class or participating in educational activities if you are pregnant, have experienced a miscarriage or an abortion, are recovering from giving birth, are lactating, or have a related medical condition.
• Confidential Advocates offer confidential support and advocacy for UW students and employees impacted by sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.
• Respondent Resources offer support for UW student respondents in a University resolution process.
• SafeCampus offers anonymous support for anyone with safety or well-being concerns.