Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 111"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Visual Communication"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2019

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Eleonora Diamanti
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MTWTH 3:40-5:30 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
From photojournalism to Instagram, 21st century communication is primarily image-based. Whether its mass media, individual expression, social media or alternative media, images are used for promoting ideas, products, information and political discourses. In this course students investigate the role of visual culture in daily life, exploring fine art, popular culture, film, television, advertising, business communications, propaganda, viral social media and information graphics. As a critical introduction to visual communication, this course mixes theory, analysis and practical activities for an applied understanding of key issues, including the relationship between images, power and politics; the historical practice of looking; visual media analysis; spectatorship; historic evolution of visual codes; impact of visual technologies; media literacy; information graphics literacy; and global visual culture.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Topics include the evolution of visual culture from the Renaissance to Postmodernism; an introduction to semiotics; the influence of photography from its early inception to Instagram; image politics in elections, terrorism and war; the role of visual and reproduction technology; the study of images in popular culture, ads and viral media; fonts, visual data and information graphics; global visual culture; and image ethics.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The course’s content and activities are meant to prepare students for future studies in communications and media studies. By the end of the course, students should be able to:

· Describe key theories and concepts of visual studies

· Identify how ways of looking are culturally constructed

· Perform semiotic media analysis

· Use media literacy to analyze a range of visual texts, including advertising, social media memes and information graphics

· Distinguish communication strategies in visual media

· Critique the role of images in shaping political discourses

· Asses ethical dilemmas posed by images

· Generate visual media that reflect key themes from the course

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number
Visual Culture	Howells and Negreiro	Polity	0745650716
Media Semiotics: An Introduction Second Edition	Jonathan Bignell	Manchester University Press	978-0719062056
Introduction to Visual Communication	Susan Barnes	Peter Lang Publishing	978-1433112577

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Midterm		25%
Final Exam and Image Analysis		30%
Create an Infographic		20%
Pecha-Kucha	Group presentations	10%
Participation and Attendance	A combination of class participation, attendance and evidence of reading required texts will be graded.	10%
Journal	You are required to keep a journal and take physical notes during class. No computers will be allowed.	5%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance and participation are a crucial part of the class.
Absences: More than three absences will result in the loss of a letter grade if not adequately excused.
Lateness: If unexcused, students more than 10 minutes late are marked as absent.
Class etiquette: Use of cell phones and laptops is strictly forbidden during class and affects your participation grade. Please make sure that your cell phone is turned off when class starts. Kindly note that any infringement of such policy shall automatically result in a F grade in participation.

Please refer to the university catalog for the complete attendance and absence policy.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Please note that this schedule is subject to change.

Part I: Visual Analysis

Readings for Week 1-2:

Howells/Negreiros: Introduction, Chs. 1-2, 4. Optional: Chs. 3 and 6. Don’t read “key debates” sections of chapters

Barnes: Introduction, Chs. 2, 13. Optional: Chs. 3-4

Bignell Introduction, Chs. 1-2

Week 1: Introduction to Visual Communication, Visual Theories, and Visual Codes

Day 1: Introduction to Visual Communication

Day 2: Perspective, Vision, and Culture

Day 3: Iconology and Formalism

Day 4: Art History and Ideology

Week 2: Semiotics, Persuasion and Visual Analysis

Day 1: Semiotics

Day 2: Persuasion

Day 3: Visual Analysis

Day 4: Midterm Review

Part 2: Media Formats

Readings for Week 3-5:

Lester: Chs 7-10: Typography, Graphic Design, Informational Graphics, Cartoons

Scott McLoud, Understanding Comics

Bignell: Chs. 3-7

Barnes: Chs. 5-7, 14. Optional: 12

Howells/Negreiros: Chs. 8-9, 11, Conclusion

Week 3: Media Formats

Day 1: Midterm

Day 2: Typography

Day 3: Graphic Design

Day 4: Information Graphics

Week 4: Media Formats Cont.

Day 1: Cartoons

Day 2: Photography

Day 3: Film

Day 4: Television

Assignment: Infographic

Week 5: Media Formats Cont.

Day 1: Computers and the Web

Day 2: Global Visual Culture

Day 3: Pecha-Kucha presentations

Day 4: Conclusion & Revision

Day 5: Final