Dundee University launches degree in comic books
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A Scottish university is to offer the UK's first degree in comics.
Dundee University said the one-year Masters in Comic Studies would be launched by its English department in September 2011.
The degree built on "strong local traditions" in the comic book industry, the university said.
Dennis the Menace, Desperate Dan and the Broons, the inventions of Dundee-based publishers DC Thomson and Co, were all born in the city.
Graduates on the course will study the impact of comics on the worlds of art, literature and popular culture.
The degree programme will be led by Dr Chris Murray, one of the UK's leading authorities on comics, and editor of the Studies in Comics journal.
Practical workshops
Dr Murray said: "This is a very exciting time for comics scholarship, and I am delighted to be able to offer this postgraduate course on comics.
"This is a unique opportunity to give this important medium the attention it deserves, and to allow those with an interest in comics to study it in detail."
One of the modules will look at autobiographical comics and another examines the relationship between international comics cultures.
The university said students with an interest in the creative side of comics - as a writer or artist - would be able to enhance their practical skills, with workshops on script writing and artwork.
And a PhD in comic studies will also be available to those who have completed the MLitt course.
Dr Murray added: "Employability is an important consideration for any postgraduate programme, and it lies at the heart of what we aim to do with this course.
"There will be practical advice on publishing and developing a career as a comics scholar, writer or artist, and we hope to arrange work placements for students."
In the  of Scotland, the  is to become the first university in the United Kingdom to provide degrees in comic studies. The university has said that courses for its comic studies subject within the English section will commence in September 2011.

The city of  is known to be the headquarters for , a publishing company whose works include various comic books, such as , ,  and . Dr. Chris Murray, a leading British authority on comic books, will be leading the comic studies programme. "This is a very exciting time for comics scholarship, and I am delighted to be able to offer this postgraduate course on comics," he explained. "This is a unique opportunity to give this important medium the attention it deserves, and to allow those with an interest in comics to study it in detail."

Those organising courses for the degree believe that comic books now appeal to adults as well as children due to their impact in the areas of politics, art and literature, as well as aspects of popular culture. Amongst the program will be the examinations of comics of an autobiographical nature and similarities with the culture of comic books on an international scale. Students who complete the  learning program — running either full-time for a year and two-years if done part-time — will be eligible for a  in comic studies.

Dr. Murray has also noted: "Employability is an important consideration for any postgraduate programme, and it lies at the heart of what we aim to do with this course. There will be practical advice on publishing and developing a career as a comics scholar, writer or artist, and we hope to arrange work placements for students. Comics and graphic novels are becoming an increasingly important form of literature, art and field of study, and it is our intention that our graduates are at the forefront either as researchers, writers, artists or filling other roles within the industry."