Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 111-6"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Visual Culture"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2023

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Fede Gianni
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 8:30 AM 9:45 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, Formalism and Hermeneutics. 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 will 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:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Visual Culture	Howells and Negreiros	Polity	0745650716

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 true, regular and thoughtful contribution to class discussions and other activities. Students are required to come to class having completed the assigned readings and weekly forum assignments which are integral to our class discussions.	35%
Midterm Exam	The Midterm Exam will assess students' understanding of the key visual theories, covered in Part I of the course.	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.	15%
Final Exam	The Final Exam will assess students' understanding of visual media, covered in Part III of the course. At this stage, students' will be assessed on their ability to reflect upon and write about a variety of visual texts, and their ability to explain how visual media influences and shapes contemporary culture.	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:
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.

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: Monday 4 September

Introduction I

Sensing + Selecting + Perceiving = Seeing

Lesson 1.2: Wednesday 6 September

Introduction II

WEEK 2: Visual Theory I

Lesson 2.1: Monday 11 September

Basic Visual Principles

Color Theory

Gestalt Theory

Lesson 2.2: Wednesday 13 September

Semiotics I

WEEK 3: Visual Theory II

Lesson 3.1: Monday 18 September

Semiotics II

Lesson 3.2: Wednesday 20 September

Iconology

WEEK 4: Visual Theory III

Lesson 4.1: Monday 25 September

Iconology Workshop

Lesson 4.2: Wednesday 27 September

Formalism

WEEK 5: Midterm Exams

Lesson 5.1: Monday 2 October

Art History + Ideology

Lesson 5.2: Wednesday 4 October

Theory Recap and preparation

Deadline for MIDTERM – 7 October

PART II – VISUAL ELEMENTS

WEEK 6: Visual Elements I

Lesson 6.1: Monday 9 October

Typography

Lesson 6.2: Wednesday 11 October

Graphic Design I

WEEK 7: Visual Elements II

Lesson 7.1: Monday 16 October

Graphic Design II

Lesson 7.2: Wednesday 18 October

Introduction to mass media

Newspapers, Magazines, TV News

Lesson 7.3: Friday 20 October (make-up day)

Advertising & Advertisement

WEEK 8: Visual Elements III

Lesson 8.1: Monday 23 October

Visual Elements: recap and in-class workshop

Lesson 8.2: Wednesday 25 October

Introduction to Part III: Visual Media

PART III – VISUAL MEDIA

WEEK 9: Fine Art

Lesson 9.1: Monday 30 October

Fine Art

NO CLASS on 1 November

WEEK 10: Photography

Lesson 10.1: Monday 6 November

Fine Art II + Photography I

Lesson 10.2: Wednesday 8 November

Photography II

WEEK 11: Film

Lesson 11.1: Monday 13 November

Film I

Lesson 11.2: Wednesday 15 November

Film II

WEEK 12: Television

Lesson 12.1: Monday 20 November

Television I

Lesson 12.2: Wednesday 22 November

Television II

WEEK 13: New Media

Lesson 13.1: Monday 27 November

New Media I

Lesson 13.2: Wednesday 29 November

New Media II

WEEK 14: Final Week

Lesson 14.1: Monday 4 December

Visual Diary Presentation (in groups

Lesson 14.1: Wednesday 6 December

Visual Diary Presentation (in groups)

DEADLINE for submitting Image Analysis

FINAL EXAM

(TBC)

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