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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 111-7"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Visual Culture"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2023
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Miriam Tola
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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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.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is organized in three parts. I) we will explore various definitions of visual culture, its historical evolution within Western modernity in relation to power, the distinction between processes of seeing, looking and visualizing. II) we will learn how to perform critical analyses of visual texts through visual semiotics and the discussion of concepts such as representation, ideology and image icons. III) we will work on special topics including gender, race, class and the gaze; the visual culture of Italian colonialism; visualizing the earth; visual activism.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Describe (verbally and in writing) key concepts in visual culture studies
Identify and communicate how ways of seeing and looking are culturally constructed in relation to power
Perform the analysis of a range of visual texts, including paintings, advertising and aerial photos
Reading images in relation of their socio-political context
Assess and critique how images shape cultural and political discourses
Produce visual texts that reflect engagement with key concepts and topics from the course
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Attendance | More than three (3) absences will result in the loss of a letter grade without a reasonable excuse. Lateness will affect your grade. | 10% |
| Active reading + Participation | Students are required to complete the readings for each class and come to class with at least one prepared question and one comment. Questions and comments will be collected in a journal. | 20% |
| Midterm | Written image analysis to be performed in class | 30% |
| Final Project | Visual project related to key concepts and topics from the course + short written text. | 30% |
| Oral presentation | Presentation of the visual project. | 10% |
-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 ____________
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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PART I
WEEK 1: What is Visual Culture?
WEEK 2: Modernity, Power and Images
Week 3: Ways of Seeing
Part II
Week 4: Visual Semiotics
Week 5: Ideology
Week 6: Image Icons
Week 7: Review + Midterm Exam
Part III
Week 9: Gender and the Gaze
Week 10: Race and the Gaze
Week 11: The Visual Culture of Italian Colonialism
Week: 12: Visualizing the Earth
Week 13: Visual Activism
Week 14: Presentations
* Please note that this schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
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