Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 111-3"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Visual Culture"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2023

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Anna Gorchakovskaya
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
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:
The course will be divided into three main sections: In Part I – Visual Theories (Week 1-5) the course will focus on exploring and gaining an initial understanding of the main visual theories relating to visual communication; Gestalt Theory, Semiotics, Iconology, Art History, Formalism. In Part II – Visual Elements (Week 6-9) students will directly apply the theories covered in Part I to the analysis of various visual texts, while gaining more in-depth knowledge of key visual elements. In Part III – Visual Media (Week 10-14) the course will focus on exploring the development of visual culture through Fine Art, Photography, Film, Television and emerging forms of New Media, and assess how these media effectively construct meaning.

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 and clearly communicate (verbally and in writing) how visual texts are constructed

· Perform image analyses on a variety of visual texts, including advertising, social media posts, and information graphics

· Distinguish communication strategies in visual media

· Assess and critique the role of visual media in shaping political & cultural discourse

· Produce a variety of visual texts that reflect key themes and theories from the course

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Attendance	More than three (3) Absences will result in the loss of a letter grade if not adequately excused. Two (2) Late marks (more than 10 minutes late to class) is equal to one (1) Absence.	10 %
Weekly assignments + readings + active participation in class	Class participation consists of your contribution to class discussions and other activities. Students are required to come to class having completed the assigned readings. Students are required to complete weekly forum assignments.	30 %
Midterm Exam	Midterm exam is a written image analysis.	20 %
Visual Diary	Students are expected to keep a visual diary throughout the semester and post it during the final exams week. Possible forms for the visual diary will be discussed in class.	20 %
Final Exam	The final exam consists of a written image analysis + in-class presentation and discussion.	20 %

-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 REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________

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

PART I – VISUAL THEORIES

WEEK 1: Introduction

Lesson 1.1: Tuesday 5 September

Introduction I

Sensing + Selecting + Perceiving = Seeing

Lesson 1.2: Thursday 7 September

Introduction II

WEEK 2: Visual Theory I

Lesson 2.1: Tuesday 12 September

Basic Visual Principles

Color Theory

Gestalt Theory

Lesson 2.2: Thursday 14 September

Semiotics I

Lesson 2.3: Friday 15 September (make-up for 23rd of November)

Semiotics II

WEEK 3: Visual Theory II

Lesson 3.1: Tuesday 19 September

Iconology

Lesson 3.2: Thursday 21 September

Iconology Workshop

WEEK 4: Visual Theory III

Lesson 4.1: Tuesday 26 September

Formalism

Lesson 4.2: Thursday 28 September

Hermeneutics

WEEK 5: Midterm Exams

Lesson 5.1: Tuesday 3 October

Ideology

Lesson 5.2: Thursday 5 October

Theory Recap and preparation

Deadline for MIDTERM (1st image analysis) – 6 October

PART II – VISUAL ELEMENTS

WEEK 6: Visual Elements I

Lesson 6.1: Tuesday 10 October

Typography

Lesson 6.2: Thursday 12 October

Graphic Design I

WEEK 7: Visual Elements II

Lesson 7.1: Tuesday 17 October

Graphic Design II

Lesson 7.2: Thursday 19 October

Introduction to mass media

Newspapers, Magazines

WEEK 8: Visual Elements III

Lesson 8.1: Tuesday 24 October

Advertising & Advertisement

Lesson 8.2: Thursday 26 October

Visual Elements: recap and in-class workshop

PART III – VISUAL MEDIA

WEEK 9: Fine Art

Lesson 9.1: Tuesday 31 October

Fine Art

Lesson 9.1: Thursday 2 November

Fine Art II

WEEK 10: Photography

Lesson 10.1: Tuesday 7 November

Photography I

Lesson 10.2: Thursday 9 November

Photography II

WEEK 11: Film

Lesson 11.1: Tuesday 14 November

Film I

Lesson 11.2: Thursday 16 November

Film II

WEEK 12: Television

Lesson 12.1: Tuesday 21 November

Television

NO CLASS on Thursday 23 November

WEEK 13: New Media

Lesson 13.1: Tuesday 28 November

New Media I

Lesson 13.2: Thursday 30 November

New Media II

WEEK 14: Final Week

Lesson 14.1: Tuesday 5 December

Theory recap + Exam preparations

Lesson 14.1: Thursday 7 December

Visual Diary Presentation (in groups)

FINAL EXAM

Wednesday December 13 (TBC)

* The contents of this outline are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.