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The home of the Beano, Dandy and Oor Wullie has launched the UK’s first degree programme in comic studies.
Dundee University is building on strong local traditions and expertise to launch the programme.
The city is where publishing company DC Thomson is based, which is behind such titles as the Broons, Commando, Starblazer and Bunty.
The English department at Dundee is offering the new postgraduate masters in comic studies degree that is being led by Dr Chris Murray, one of the UK’s foremost authorities on the subject.
He has researched comics and graphic novels extensively, and is editor of the journal Studies in Comics.
Dr Murray said students will be required to think critically about comics, and develop an understanding of comics in the context of theory, politics and history.
He added: "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.
"I hope that this course will help forge the next generation of comics scholars, and may even help some students with creative ambitions to find their way into the highly competitive comics industry."
Course organisers believe that comics are not just the preserve of children as they are becoming increasingly sophisticated texts that comment on culture, politics and values.
The MLitt in comic studies programme, delivered on a one-year full time or two-year part time basis, is expected to appeal to local, national and international graduates with an interest in pursuing academic careers, or working in the media, the creative industries or publishing.
From September, graduates will have the opportunity to take the course.
Dr Murray continued: "As well as studying different genres, styles and uses of comics, there will be a focus on writing for comics, with classes and workshops on scriptwriting skills as well as on artwork and the creative process.
"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."
More information about the programme is available **on the Dundee University website **or emailing Dr Murray at c.murray@dundee.ac.uk.
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."