Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 111-1"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Visual Culture"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2024

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Anna Gorchakovskaya
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, Art History, Formalism, Ideology. In Part II – Visual Elements (Week 6-8) 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 9-14) 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: Monday 15 January

Introduction I

Sensing + Selecting + Perceiving = Seeing

Lesson 1.2: Wednesday 17 January

Introduction II

WEEK 2: Visual Theory I

Lesson 2.1: Monday 22 January

Basic Visual Principles

Color Theory

Gestalt Theory

Lesson 2.2: Wednesday 24 January

Semiotics I

WEEK 3: Visual Theory II

Lesson 3.1: Monday 29 January

Semiotics II

Lesson 3.2: Wednesday 31 January

Iconology

WEEK 4: Visual Theory III

Lesson 4.1: Monday 5 February

Iconology Workshop

Lesson 4.2: Wednesday 7 February

Formalism

Lesson 4.3: Friday 9 February (make-up class for April 1 TBC)

WEEK 5: Midterm Exams

Lesson 5.1: Monday 12 February

Ideology

Lesson 5.2: Wednesday 14 February

In-class Image Analysis Workshop (part 1 of midterm assignment)

Deadline for MIDTERM – 18 February

PART II – VISUAL ELEMENTS

WEEK 6: Visual Elements I

Lesson 6.1: Monday 19 February

Introduction to Typography

Lesson 6.2: Wednesday 21 February

Graphic Design I

February 26 - March 1 (Mon-Fri) Spring Break

WEEK 7: Visual Elements II

Lesson 7.1: Monday 4 March

Graphic Design II: Diversity and Inclusion in Design

Lesson 7.2: Wednesday 6 March

Introduction to Mass Media

Newspapers, Magazines, TV News

WEEK 8: Visual Elements III

Lesson 8.1: Monday 11 March

Introduction to Advertising

Lesson 8.2: Monday 13 March

Introduction to Part III: Visual Media

Introduction to the Image Analysis Assignment

PART III – VISUAL MEDIA

WEEK 9: Fine Art

Lesson 9.1: Monday 18 March

Fine Art I

Lesson 9.2: Wednesday 20 March

Fine Art II

WEEK 10: Photography

Lesson 10.1: Monday 25 March

Photography I

Lesson 10.2: Wednesday 27 March

Photography II

WEEK 11: Film

Monday 1 April NO CLASS

Lesson 11.1: Wednesday 3 April

Film

WEEK 12: Television

Lesson 12.1: Monday 8 April

Film II + Television I

Lesson 12.2: Wednesday 10 April

Television II

WEEK 13: New Media

Lesson 13.1: Monday 15 April

New Media I

Lesson 13.2: Wednesday 17 April

New Media II

WEEK 14: Final Week

Lesson 14.1: Monday 22 April

Theory recap + Exam preparations

Lesson 14.1: Wednesday 24 April

Visual Diary Presentation (in groups)

FINAL EXAM

April 29 - May 3 (TBC)

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