Narratives in Pencil: Using Graphic Novels to Teach Israeli-Palestinian Relations

Abstract

This article argues that using graphic novels is an effective and valuable pedagogical tool to enhance the teaching of international relations, and specifically the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Graphic novels combine the best of film and prose in delivering a cognitive and affective experience that allows students to access the subject matter in a manner that complements the use of more conventional textbooks. Three such novels-Palestine, by Joe Sacco (2001), Exit Wounds, by Rutu Modan (2007), and Waltz with Bashir, by Ari Folman and David Polonsky (2009)-raise a number of important and relevant themes such as life under occupation and the shadow of terrorism, the intractability of conflict, the sources of violence, tensions within Israeli society, and collective memory and identity. After reviewing these three novels, this article discusses the benefits and challenges associated with using graphic novels in the political science classroom.

Myanmar: viento de democracia, viento de dictadura. Una mirada desde el mundo de la novela gráfica

“…Representan acontecimientos traumáticos y traducen investigaciones complejas a través de un lenguaje de imágenes secuenciales. En este sentido, son ilustrativos la emergencia de nuevos géneros como el cómic periodístico o el uso de novelas gráficas en la enseñanza académica de las relaciones internacionales (Juneau & Sucharov 2010;Cascante et al 2021).…”

Graphic Novels: A Brief History and Overview for Library Managers

“…They employ the use of three graphic novels, Palestine, by Joe Sacco, Exit Wounds,by Rutu Modan, and Waltz with Bashir, by Ari Folman and David Polansky, to supplement the traditional textbook in their course on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 42 A well-known scholar in the field of social history, Howard Zinn, has even converted his book A People's History of the United States into a graphic novel, 43 A People's History of American Empire: A Graphic Adaptation along with historian Paul Buhle and cartoonist Mike Konopacki. These are just a few examples from select disciplines, but the applications are endless and include ethnic studies, humanities, sciences, arts, and business.…”

Graphic “Heart of Darkness”: Two Visions of Current Affairs Comics1

“…Accused of one‐sidedness, his books are nonetheless multidimensional in their portrayal of the under‐represented. Thomas Juneau and Mira Sucharov advise their students to read Sacco not for his own perspective, but to experience the myriad viewpoints of the real‐life characters he introduces (:175).…”