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Show MONDAY-NOVEMBER 7*2005 A2 Graphic novels class (hi/ Times reporter speaks week College Times interviews Dr. Steve Gibson in utah who plans to teach a graphic novels class valley FromBARSTOW-AI novofflber • Parade of Costumes (Global Awareness Week), 10:00 a.m., Hallways • Hunger Banquet, 6:30 p.m., Ballroom Religions of the World Art Exhibit, Losee Center Library Art Gallery, Thru Nov. 12 • Ethics Discussion, 11:30 a.m., LC 243 Mr. and Mrs. UVSC International, 7:00 p.m., Ragan Theater • Fiesta Hispana Performance, 8:00 p.m., Ragan Theater to deliver self-promoting news through local broadcast media. These reports were tabloid and biased in favor of the government. The broadcast media's fault was in failing to report to the public that these news items were government-crafted. Barstow cautioned that the media itself is responsible for reporting truthful unbiased news: "If you expect more you should demand more [from the media]." If the substance of a paper is thin or biased, call up the editor and complain. People can protect freedom of the press by demanding more than lazy and bad reporting. Barstow stressed the importance of the protection of sources and access to public records. Information must remain a fundamental, or true democracy becomes harder to achieve. Barstow emphasized in his speech the importance of a federal shield, a law that would give journalists greater protection to shield information sources. It is a question of ethics, being able to protect information sources. It has become increasingly common for federal prosecutors to subpoena journalists for their notes, and to give up their sources. This action is on an alarming rise. It affects the ability of journalists to track down credible sources. Sources become fewer. "As they dry up crucial information is drying up. The sufferers are the people," said Barstow, "we have to be more vigilant about getting the story right." The job of journalists is to report an unbiased account of the world around us, explained Barstow. Continuing he said, "I have strong political opinion but when I go to cover a story I put those aside and the bonus is that I am able to see more clearly the complexity of a story." If not protected by the people. First Amendment rights, and laws (such as the federal shield), media will inevitably become dependant on government for information, Barstow warned. Barstow explained the media's "job is to report the world as it is," and not as it should be. Barstow won the Pulitzer Prize, among many other awards, for public service in 2004 for a two-piece story that reported workplace safety in America. He received a B.S. degree in journalism from Northwestern University in 1986, currently resides in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. He continues to work for the New York Times. John Ditzler Executive Editor The College Times interviews UVSC's Dr. Steve Gibson who plans to teach an English class in the spring centering on graphic novels. COLLEGE TIMES: When someone typically thinks of a class on literature, they think Shakespeare, Twain, Hemingway etc. How do you explain to the skeptics the appeal of an English class centered on graphic novels? and the Holocaust, the Iranian revolution, and American poverty. How a form that focused on masked identities for so much of its history came to be used for autobiography is interesting and probably only possible as a result of the comix movement. "Batman: the Dark Knight Returns" and the "Sandman" series revise ideas of the "superhero." Batman has been everything from noir, to camp, to fascist. And Frank Miller reveals the tensions within the character and his fans. Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" returns superheroes to myths from which they came. "Understanding Comics" presents some theories [about the structure] of comic books. Ex- GIBSON: According to U.S. News and World Report, "The comic books of your youth [have] grown up.... And that's not all. The comics are also winCLASS LISTING: Engl. 276R, ning more respect. Literary honDATE AND TIME: spring 2006, MWF 1-2 PM ors, respectful reviews, museum INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Steve Gibson exhibits - and even academic atCREDITS: 3 tention." In fact, in 1992, Maus, a novelEarly registration for Spring 2006 semester began length comic book about effects Monday October 31, 2005 of the Holocaust on an artist and his father, won the Pulitzer Prize. Comic art is being exhibited at UVSC's Woodbury Gallery and graphic novels have been part of the Great cerpts of it appear in texts like Carolyn Handa's "Visual Rhetoric in a Digital World." Salt Lake Book Festival. I may add additional books and or use elecThese and similar events lead to all kinds of interesting questions about art and language tronic reserve. . and culture. The class will try to answer some of them while reading compelling examples COLLEGE TIMES: Why might graphic of graphic novels, the theory used to under- novels be of interest to English majors? stand them, and their history. The class will include presentations by stuGIBSON: Graphic novels are of interest to dents on the graphic novels they find interest- English majors because they provide a unique ing. Texts not on the syllabus can and will be opportunity to look at written and visual rhetdiscussed. We'll write a couple of papers and orics. Comic books have been parts of argufor those involved with write in class as well. It meets on MWF from ments about censorship and huge debates over From CONFERENCE-Al politics to know what they 1:00-2:00 p.m. creating or destroying literacy. They've been being college President, and are doing, utilizing their own the focus of Senate hearings on how words how these events have shaped complexities and capacities. COLLEGE TIMES: The tentative texts and images influence culture. his views. "God is the only one who can you've chosen for the class are: "Under"There is a huge need in do God's will," Skillen said. standing Comics" by Scott McCIoud; COLLEGE TIMES: Are graphic novels our society to clarify between "What we should be doing is, "Maus" by Art Spiegelman; "Sandman: "just" comic books? church and state, and that is in a very humble fashion, see Season of Mist," by Nail Gaiman; 'Tersean on-going struggle here in how we can respond to the polis" by Marjane Satrapi; "One Hundred GIBSON: Graphic novels are not just comic Utah just like anywhere else," call of justice." Demons" by Lynda Barry and; ''Batman: books. Just as literary novels, including many Sederburg said. The Religious Studies The Dark Night Returns" by Frank Miller. "classics," began in serialization, so did many Skillen spoke last and, adding department will hold a similar Can you tell our readers a little bit about a graphic novels. Comic books are closer to to his earlier presentation, conference next year, as well couple of these texts? short stories; graphic novels are closer to novemphasized the "many- as the annual Mormon Studies els. sidedness" of democracy. He . conference in the spring. For GIBSON: "Maus" is the best example of Also* while some comic books have entersaid that religion will always more information, contact one common type of graphic novel, the au- tainment as their goal, graphic novels often be a part of democracy, but Brian Birch at birchbr@uvsc. tobiographical. "Persepolis" and "One Hun- have much more serious expectations of themalso stressed the importance, edu. dred Demons" are two other examples. These selves, seeking to understand and ask difficult within the Christian tradition, three present childhoods haunted by a father questions of the world and human nature. information Religion and democracy conference held the college lime/ Editor-in-Chief Ryan Meeks Executive Editor John Ditzler Copy Editor Valerie Porter Layout Editor Jessica Ellsworth Your News Editor Errin Julkunen Your Opinions Editor Joe Vogel Your Life Editor Michelle Lee Sports Editor Morgan Vance Special Sections Editor Pete Walters Photo Editor Early Bird Holiday November 18th • Chad Clark Office Manager Robbin Anthony Advisor Brent Sumner Contact us: Student Media 800 W. University Parkway Orem, UT, 84057 TEL: (801) 863-8688 FAX: (801) 863-8601 E-MAIL: anthonro@uvsc.cdu The College Times is a student operated newspaper that is published once a week during Fall and Spring semesters. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of The College Times or UVSC. Cost: First issue is free, each additional $1 Guess Who's coming to the UVSC Bookstore? Soft Goods/Gifts Santa himself! November 18th 3:30 - 4:30 at the Bookstore Clothing 25% off Willow Tree Figurines 25% Off Holiday Decor 25% off Bring your kids Pictures will be taken |