THE HISTORY OF CARTOON ART
From the first distorted paintings by British and Flemish masters to Joseph Keppler and Thomas Nast's establishment of modern day American editorial and political cartooning, to some of the best examples of contemporary trend. (Sample Illustration)

CARICATURES
The importance of identification vs. resemblence. Destorted, yet clearly identifiable faces and characters created by uniquely individual codes for symbols and personalities. Also: Modern technology aiding the caricaturist. [PowerPoint presentation] (Sample Illustration)

CARTOON GENRES
An illustrated introduction to comic strips, comic books, gag cartoons, editorial and political cartoons, portrait caricatures and humorous and op-ed illustration. [PowerPoint presentation] (Sample Illustration)

CARTOON MARKETS
Introduction of national and international opportunities to make money in the cartooning business.

CARTOONOMETER: TAKING THE PULSE OF THE WORLD'S CARTOONISTS
This presentation is based on an international survey Szabo conducted and which later became the subject of a book (co-authored with Temple University Professor John A. Lent, Ph.D.) about the state of cartooning and its practitioners. Topics include demographics, motivation, incomes, statistics, awards and prizes, by genre and gender, relationships between cartoonists and editors, and a show of top cartoonists, their thoughts, work, and achievemnts. [PowerPoint presentation] (Illustration)

CENSORSHIP
For nearly ten years, Joe Szabo was on the board of directors of an international human rights organization (Commission for Freedom and Justice Through Humour) sanctioned by UNESCO and based in Montreal, Canada. He uncovered and reported on many censorship cases and attempts at silencing cartoonists. His compialition of censored images as well as his reports revealing attrocities against cartoonists — sometimes culminating in beatings, prision terms and even death — have been used or quoted by many watchdog organizations including Index on Censorship and Amnesty International. [PowerPoint presentation] (Sample Illustration)

UNDERSTANDING COMMUNISM
The ideology, practice, and demise
An insider's view on the history, reasoning, mechanics and failure of one of history's most notorious governing systems. Having been raised and worked as a daily newspaper editor under communism, Joe Szabo gives a first person account of what it was like growing up, living with, and navigating the rough waters of a communist dictatorship. (Sample Illustration)

COMPARING CULTURES
Philosophies, attitudes, ways of life and social systems compared with a focus on the differences between the United States and foreign cultures. Talk is based on personal experience and research, and a series of articles Szabo has written on the subject.

THE EDITOR
Szabo's presentation will draw upon his 30-year editorial experience which includes positions as second-ranking editor of a daily newspaper and art director of a million circulation weekly, both in Europe; editor- in -chief of an international cartoon magazine that reached 103 countries, editor-in-chief of a sports magazine at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, and editor of a Pennsylvania-based U.S. weekly as well as numerous books and newsletters. He will talk about generating assignments, goals, the various sections, ethics, the difference between reporting and editorializing, advertising, and the design and production process. [PowerPoint presentation]

FITTING IN: AMERICA'S 60 MILLION IMMIGRANTS
The difficulties and disadvantages immigrants face with repatriation: cultural shock, lack of finances, language skills and networking ability in a totally new environment. On the plus side: survival instinct, hard work propelled by personal motivation, wisdom and experience gained, brought along and utilized from other cultures.

GENERATING IDEAS
This is a fun, creative presentation on how to come up with new ideas for any possible purpose, including advertising, architecture, typography, art, design, writing, toys, games, and even politics.[PowerPoint presentation]

THE IMAGE OF AMERICA
An examination of how the world views the United States as a whole — not just its political path as reflected through the actions of the current administration, but its people, culture, motivations, social attitudes, achievements, and influence as well. The presentation is based on a broad international survey and interviews Szabo conducted in over 50 countries since the fall of 2005. [PowerPoint presentation] (Sample Illustration)

HUMOROUS PHOTOGRAPHY
The recipient of an international press prize for his photo-cartoons from Knokke-Heist, Belgium, Szabo will tell about the peculiarities of humorous photography and how and why it's different from drawn cartoons. He will lead the audience through the process of creating a photo-cartoon. [PowerPoint presentation] (Sample Illustration)

PLAGIARISM, COPYRIGHT ISSUES
As a one-time cartoonist, now journalist, writer, and international publisher, Joe Szabo encountered numerous intellectual property rights violations. He pioneered an internationally popular series in which he juxtaposed and published original and copied/stolen ideas, cartoons, and artwork under the title "No comment." [PowerPoint presentation] (Sample Illustration)

THE POWER OF IMAGES
As Art Buchwald said: "Dictators of the right and the left fear the political cartoonist more than they do the atomic bomb." The presentation starts with Thomas Nast and continues through the story of assasinated cartoonist Naji Salim al-Ali to the modern day effects of editorial images — some of which are shockingly harsh. [PowerPoint presentation] (Sample Illustration)

THE ROLE OF CARTOONS AND CARTOONISTS
Is it entertainment, criticism, visual communication, or an exposition of societal ills helping to bring about attitude, habitual and political changes? It depends...

SYMBOLISM
A fascinating look at the use of symbols, understanding the language of visual communication, and the personification of governments, ethnicities and ideologies. [PowerPoint presentation] (Sample Illustration)

HOW SYNDICATION WORKS
Having produced syndicated features, worked with and consulted for some of the most renowned international syndicates as well as currently heading one himself, Szabo will tell about the ins and outs of the business; what works and what doesn't; what the odds are and how to get started and present new ideas.