Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Narrative Illustration (Face-to-Face)

ART 3520-01

Course: ART 3520-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ARTD
CRN: 10313

Course Description

A study of the techniques and approaches in visual problem-solving relative to the visual interpretation of a narrative text. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): ART 2500 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Credits: 6

Required Texts

Understanding Comics    Author: Scott McCloud

  • Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
  • ISBN-10:006097625X
  • ISBN-13:978-0060976255

Making Comics    Author: Scott McCloud

  • Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
  • ISBN-10: 0-06-078094-0
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-06-078094-4

Learning Outcomes

After successfully participating in this course, students will be able to:
  • Effectively communicate a story/narrative with visual imagery.
  • Critically analyze text for effective storytelling.
  • Gather and create original visual reference. 
  • Give and receive meaningful critique relating to visual storytelling.
  • Create portfolio-worthy narrative illustrations

Course Requirements

• Attendance, Participation and Effective Use of Class Time
Your engagement in the course has a direct impact on your artistic skill-building and final grade. As a general rule, I do not post my presentations on canvas. Attendance is required. Use class "work time" to work on the assignments. If I see that students are not using "work time" effectively, I will change the class structure accordingly. (See attendance details in the policy below)

• Narrative Illustration Projects
650 points      Children's Book Project
350 points      1-Page Comic Project
100 points      Quizzes: Comic Textbooks
1100 points   TOTAL

• Grading System
This course will use the +/- grading system and the 100-point scale.
                               A  100 – 94      A– < 94 – 90 
B+ < 90 – 87        B < 87 – 84       B– < 84 – 80 
C+ < 80 – 77        C < 77 – 74       C– < 74 – 70 
D+ < 70 – 67        D < 67 – 64       D– < 64 – 61
                               F < 61
• Grading Criteria
20 %  1. Draftsmanship       Quality and accuracy in drawing
20%   2. Craftsmanship       Proficient use of media and clean presentation
20%   3. Composition          Visually & Narratively effective arrangement of space
20%   4. Communication     Clarity & Intensity in storytelling
20%   5. Creativity                Originality and "Unique Artistic Voice"

• Grading Process and Timeline
Illustration projects take a considerable amount of time to analyze and evaluate—especially narrative projects with multiple images. When I evaluate projects, I look for additional things to improve that were not mentioned during the "in-class" critique. A generally positive "in-class critique" is great, but does not guarantee an A or B.  With so many images to review, it is inevitable that we will miss important things. "In-class critiques" will cover a general, first-glance impression of the work. Afterward, as I evaluate the work for grading purposes, my goal will be to push you toward professional-quality work. Do not be discouraged if you don't get an A the first time you turn something in. Expect to get a list of things to fix and change. "Picky" critiques are intended to help you develop the skill to make illustrations that are competitive and stand out in the marketplace. I will strive to have assignments graded within 3 weeks of their turn-in date, unless I notify you otherwise. Late assignments will be graded when I can fit them in my schedule.

Course Outline

Part 1: Children's Book Illustration
Weeks 1-9: 8-Page Children's Book Dummy
Includes: Readings, Research, Storyboards, Character Designs, 1/4, 1/2, & Full Book Dummy

Part 2: Comics
Weeks 10 - 16: 1-Page Comic
Includes: Readings, Exercises, Roughs, Refined Comic, Penciled Comic, Ink exploration, & Inked 1-page Comic.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All assignments must be turned in *ON TIME. Assignments turned in on time can be reworked and resubmitted to try to improve the grade. Assignments turned in after the scheduled deadline will be considered late and will receive one grade reduction per day late. Example, an assignment turned in 1 day late can only earn up to a B, 2 days late a C and so forth. All days, including weekends, count toward late deductions

*ON TIME means that assignments must be turned in by the specific hour they are due. Work brought into class 5 minutes after the hour will be considered late and be reduced by 1 grade.

Projects turned in on time:
Timely assignments can be reworked and resubmitted based on the in-class critique and the instructor's evaluation. TAKE NOTES DURING YOUR CRITIQUES so that you know what needs to be improved! Students can resubmit work, that was originally turned in on time, until the last day of class. Reworking a project does not guarantee a grade change,—but often results in additional points.

Attendance Policy

Roll will be recorded on Canvas each class period, but will not automatically figure into your Canvas grade.
At the end of the semester, the Canvas roll record will be used to calculate deductions, if any, to your final grade.
Check your attendance in Canvas often to keep track of how you are doing!

  • Up to 3 absences can be excused with appropriate documentation and/or honest appeal.
  • Let me know ahead of time if you know you will be absent. The absence may still be unexcused if the reason isn't legitimate, but at least you can keep on track with the assignments and not get behind.
  • Each unexcused absence will reduce your final course grade by 5 points.
    (Final course grades are based on the 100-point scale. Example: 100 is an A. One absence results in a 95 for the course)
  • Tardiness and leaving early will effect your grade—(Canvas calculates it as “80% PRESENT.”)
  • Students that come over 30 minutes late or leave class over 30 min early, will be marked “ABSENT.”
  • Students who miss 25% of class sessions, equal to 6.5 class periods or 18 hours of class, will fail the course.
  • Scheduled “Work Days” used effectively will be marked “PRESENT.”
  • Cancelled classes due to instructor illness or extenuating circumstances will not be included in the final assessment.

Statement from FAD Department Chairman: Studio courses are experiential in nature and rely heavily on in-class
instruction, collaboration, and critique. As such, attendance is mandatory. A student who misses more than 25% of scheduled class time (including unexcused absences and tardiness) will receive a final grade no higher than a “C–”, and may fail the course, regardless of performance on assignments. Excused absences—such as those due to documented illness, university-sponsored activities, or other legitimate circumstances—may be made up with appropriate documentation (e.g., a doctor's note or official university communication). It is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor before the absence when possible and to make arrangements to complete missed work promptly. Consistent attendance and active participation are essential to your success in this course and in your development as an artist/designer. The Department Attendance Policy for studio classes can be found here: https://catalog.suu.edu/preview_entity.php?catoid=26&ent_oid=1489&returnto=
Links to an external site.

Classroom Management & Maintenance
1. Clean up after yourself at the end of each class.
2. Keep phones on "silent mode." Please take calls and texts outside of the classroom.
3. Off-topic movies and shows may not be watched during class.
4. Headphones may be used during “work-in-class” time, as long as you use only one ear-bud and/or low volume.

Course Fees

Studio Courses require a $19.00 fee per credit hour.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.