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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 111-2"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Visual Communication"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2021
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Marco Fulvio Palmieri
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 1:30 PM 2:45 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 TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Visual CultureHowells and NegreirosPolity0745650716 This textbook will be made available online through the JCU library. A direct link will be available to all students via the course Moodle page.    
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance 10%
Class AssignmentsA number of assignments will need to be completed throughout the course. 20%
Midterm Exam 20%
Detailed Image Analysis 25%
Final Exam 25%

-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:
More than three (3) absences will result in the loss of a letter grade if not adequately excused. Two (2) Latenesses (more than 10 minutes late to class) is equal to one (1) absence.
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
 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE:

 

WEEK 1: Introduction

 

Lesson 1.1: Monday 18 January

Introduction to Monday Group

Sensing + Selecting + Perceiving = Seeing

 

Lesson 1.2: Wednesday 20 January

Introduction to Wednesday Group

 

 

WEEK 2: Visual Theory I

 

Lesson 2.1: Monday 25 January

Basic Visual Principles

Color Theory

Gestalt Theory

 

Lesson 2.2: Wednesday 27 January

Semiotics I

 

 

WEEK 3: Visual Theory II

 

Lesson 3.1: Monday 1 February

Semiotics II

 

Lesson 3.2: Wednesday 3 February

Art: Iconology

 

 

WEEK 4: Visual Theory III

 

Lesson 4.1: Monday 8 February

Art: Formalism

 

Lesson 4.2: Wednesday 10 February

Art: Art History

 

Lesson 4.3: Friday 12 February

Ideology

 

 

WEEK 5: Midterm Exams

 

Lesson 5.1: Monday 15 February

Culture & Hermeneutics

 

Lesson 5.2: Wednesday 17 February

MIDTERM EXAM

 

 

WEEK 6: Advertisement

 

Lesson 6.1: Monday 22 February

Image Analysis Assignment – Workshop (Deadline Wednesday 17 March)

 

Lesson 6.2: Wednesday 24 February

Advertisement and Persuasion

 

 

WEEK 7: Visual Elements

 

Lesson 7.1: Monday 1 March

Typography

 

Lesson 7.2: Wednesday 3 March

Graphic Design

 

SPRING BREAK

 

Monday 8 March – No Classes

 

Wednesday 10 March – No Classes

 

 

WEEK 8: Fine Art & Image Analysis Submission

 

Lesson 8.1: Monday 15 March

Fine Art I

 

Lesson 8.2: Wednesday 17 March

Fine Art II

Image Analysis Due

 

 

WEEK 9: Photography

 

Lesson 9.1: Monday 22 March

Photography I

 

Lesson 9.2: Wednesday 24 March

Photography II

 

 

WEEK 10: Film

 

Lesson 10.1: Monday 29 March

Film I

 

Lesson 10.2: Wednesday 31 March

Film II

 

 

WEEK 11: Television

 

Monday 5 April – Holiday (No Classes)

 

Lesson 11.2: Wednesday 7 April

Television I

 

 

WEEK 12: TV

 

Lesson 12.1: Monday 12 April

Television II

 

Lesson 12.2: Wednesday 14 April

Television III

 

 

WEEK 13: New Media

 

Lesson 13.1: Monday 19 April

New Media I

 

Lesson 13.2: Wednesday 21 April

New Media II

 

 

WEEK 14: Final Week  

 

Lesson 14.1: Monday 26 April

Final Exam Preparation

 

Lesson 14.2: Wednesday 28 April

Final Exam Preparation

 

 

FINAL EXAM

 

DATE TBC