Teesside University to launch new Comics degree course

Teesside University. Image: Teesside University

Teesside University. Image: Teesside University

Teesside University is to launch a new BA (honours) Degree course in Comics, Graphic Novels and Sequential Art.

It’s a unique course, focused solely on comics, and is fully accredited,  run through the Art and Design faculty of the University and will cover a broad range of comics related topics.

“We wanted to create a unique course that would give students everything they needed to understand, create and work in comics as well as fulfilling academic requirements for a degree,” says Leonie Moore, the California-based Irish freelance illustrator and writer who worked as a consultant developing the course, whose comics have been published in a variety of books and magazines including popular anthologies such as Spirit of Hope and the Accent UK books. She also created the graphic novel Some Forgotten Part and the ongoing adventure series “Monstrum Horrendum“.

Leonie Moore, who developed the new Teeside comics degree course

Leonie Moore, who developed the new Teesside comics degree course

“I worked with another consultant, Dr. David Jones to create the content of the course,” she expands. “We had plenty of ideas about what we wanted to do and David helped me to put it into the correct framework for academic study and accreditation.

“Our steering group, which included cartoonist, artist, writer and editor Suzy Varty, Comica Festival Director Paul Gravett, Mary and Bryan Talbot, illustrator Sara Gibbeson, 2000AD publisher Jason Kingsley and comic artist and illustrator Alan Brown, read through our proposals and gave us feedback as needed.

“It was very important that we create a course which prepared students for the workplace,” she notes. “Teesside has a good reputation for delivering courses which are industry focused, helping students to find work through placements and encouraging entrepreneurial endeavors.

“We’re working with publishers, editors and freelancers to develop opportunities for students. Modules and assessments include industry standard briefs and live briefs. Networking, publishing and exhibition opportunities are available.

“The course covers things that creators and freelancers need to know such as business practices and legal issues.

“We’re also including as many aspects of the industry as we can so that students can find the path that is best suited to their goals.

“… I think this will be a wonderful, challenging, engaging course. I can’t wait to see what our students produce.”

• For more information about the course contact arts@tees.ac.uk or phone them on 01642 384019

• Teesside University is online at www.tees.ac.uk 

Leonie has documented the process of creating the course on her blog here



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