It's NOT Just a Comic Book!

Vol 3 No 6

Today!  Go to ComicCon and earn a point of Honors!  All you have to do is go and experience as much of ComicCon as you can, then write a 500 word reflective journal, then write a reflective essay at the end of the semester that draws from all the Honors events (or other learning experiences you have). 

For the journal, you just need to reflect on the experience you had.  You can look into and explore questions like these...

• · I am/was most excited to learn… I am/was most anxious about… 
• · The thing I am most curious or confused about is… 
• · My ideas about this event come from/are informed by… 
• · I hope to connect this to my academic/professional/personal life through… 
• · I’m interested in this topic because I want to find out… 
• · Probably the most compelling/disturbing/lingering question raised by this topic is…. 
• · Overall, the most meaningful/surprising thing I learned from this was… 
• · Identify and reflect on specific moments in which something significant occurred (a realization, an obstacle overcome, a setback encountered, etc.). 
• · What prior skills and experiences did you bring to the course/event which either helped or hindered your learning process or your participation? 
• · How did your initial preconceptions and expectations of the course or topic compare with what actually happened or what you learned? 
• · Describe your feelings and emotions about aspects of the course or event. When/about what did you feel most comfortable? Most uncomfortable? Why?

As you can see, these questions are designed to get you thinking about the event as a learning experience and as something that is worth exploring on a deeper level.  It also firmly places YOU in the event.  It challenges you to think a little bit about who you are and how you interact with the world around you.  These are the kinds of things that go through the minds of those who are passionate and curious about their learning, the world, and their place in it.

There is so much folded into the world of comics, superheros, and graphic novels that I think you just MIGHT be surprised by the depth and complexity they contain.  Go, explore, and then reflect...

If you want to earn that point of Honors, just contact me at trista.merrill@flcc.edu and I'll let you know what the prompt is for the reflective essay.  In the meantime, go forth and save the world!

For more information about ComicCon specifically - head over here.

FLCC Comic-Con - Honors Approved!

Vol 2 No 4

An Event to Remember!

"Highlighting literary graphic resources through speakers, presentations, and other unique learning experiences"

We are excited to announce the FIRST Honors Approved Event being held this Activities Day – October 17, 2017. This event is sponsored by the Charles J. Meder and funded in part by Student Corporation and the Humanities Department.

This event, hosted and held in the Library, has so many amazing parts to it – from costume contests and crafts to food and a movie. It seems like there is a little something for everyone. What really gets Honors Studies excited, however, are the presentations. Held by students, faculty, staff, and community members, these presentations touch on so many deeper aspects of comics and super-heroes. These sorts of things show us that popular culture is rife with things to study, explore, and reflect upon. For instance, take a look at what you can expect if you go:

Lights, Sounds, Buttons, Sensors (Bill Pealer)
This presentation shows the ins and outs of creating props with Arduino and various materials. The discussion and workshop will include how to program props to light up, buzz and more using simple cost-effective tools.

Kick-Butt Costuming 101 (Dave Ghidiu)
Making award-winning costumes isn't hard - but it does take a tiny bit of money and tons of time. Come learn how to make stellar costumes out of easy-to-obtain materials. Participants will learn techniques and experienced tips for making costumes that stand out and will walk away with information on where to go for the next step. Some participants will even get to participate in a rapid build!

Force, Mass, and Acceleration: The Dangers of Being Super (Trevor Johnson-Steigelman)
Superman and Supergirl are able to leap tall buildings in a single leap, but do they get charged for replacing sidewalks? The Flash and Quicksilver are quick, but do they have liability insurance for causing whiplash? Why should Spider-Man consider taking a physics class or two? Let’s investigate how Newton’s Second Law is mangled in the comics and the movies.

The Culture of Japan (Anime Club Presentation)
The student-led discussion will include Japanese history, diet, and cultural standards. The presentation will start at 12:30 to give our comic fans a chance to grab their lunch.

My Life in Comics Q & A (Sal Otero)
Sal Otero is an artist living in Upstate New York. Currently, Sal is working on the TMnT comics. In his presentation, Sal will discuss his experiences in the comics business and his journey to becoming an artist within the industry. There will be a brief Q & A session following his presentation. 

Jenny Burnett, Automated Systems Librarian and the mastermind behind Comic-Com, has the following to say about this Honors Studies Experience:

In the past I have found many students think that ComiCon is just about comics; this event gives the Library a chance to truly change the minds of students when it comes to comic events and comics themselves. Due to its interdisciplinary nature, the Library events have the opportunity to pique the scholarly interests of various students, faculty, staff and the community. This event contributes, not only to the culture here at FLCC, but also to the culture of the community, giving everyone a unique opportunity to explore this medium in a safe and welcoming space…ComiCon gives students and members of the community an opportunity to reflect on their views and will show them that the stereotypical Comic-con comic reader, can be quite different than they had originally thought. The FLCC Library ComiCon has a strong tradition of breaking the mold in this respect. Our first years have shown hundreds of students comics can be scholarly, non-fiction, physics lessons, instructional, and they can be for everyone. Students might also find that they are the ones who have been closed off to these experiences, and do some additional self-reflection and evaluation on why they feel this way. Each speaking guest gives students the opportunity to analyze new ideas, and old themes both inside the comics’ medium and beyond.

Look for posters and other advertising around campus for more information and we hope to see you at the FLCC Comic-con – an Honors Approved Event!

If you need more information on how to earn Honors Studies Points for this and other Honors Studies Events, please email the Director of Honors Studies, Dr. Trista Merrill at trista.merrill@flcc.edu or honorsstudies@flcc.edu.