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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 111-4"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Visual Culture"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2024
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Eleonora Diamanti
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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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:
| 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. |
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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
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Media Semiotics: An Introduction Second Edition | Jonathan Bignell | Manchester University Press | 978-0719062056 | | | Hard Copy | | |
| Visual Culture | Howells and Negreiro | Polity | 0745650716 | | | Ebook | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Midterm exam | In-class written exam composed of short and long answers | 25% |
| Final exam: image analysis | Image analysis essay and class presentation. | 30% |
| Participation and Attendance | A combination of class participation, in-class group work, and evidence of reading required texts will be graded. | 20% |
| PechaKucha | In groups you will create a PechaKucha visual presentation consisting of 20 slides shown for 20 seconds each. Detailed guidelines will be provided. | 15% |
| Attendance | More than 3 absences will result in the loss of a letter grade, more than 4 absences will result in failing the class. Three late arrivals equal one absence. | 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
| Absences: More than three absences will result in the loss of a letter grade if not adequately excused. |
Lateness: If unexcused, students more than 10 minutes late are marked as absent.
Class etiquette: Use of cell phones and laptops is strictly forbidden during class and affects your participation grade. Please make sure that your cell phone is turned off when class starts. Kindly note that any infringement of such policy shall automatically result in a F grade in participation.
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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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Note: this schedule is subject to change, please consult Moodle for the current schedule.
Week 1 Introduction to Visual Culture
What is visual culture?
Week 2. Visual Theories I
Representation, perspective, iconology
Week 3. Visual Theories II
Iconology & Formalism
Week 4. Visual Theories III
Formalism & Ideology
Week 5. Visual Theories IV
Applying visual theories: image analysis
Week 6. Visual Theories IV
Semiotics
Week 7. Midterm exam
Review and midterm exam
Week 8. Visual analysis
Visual semiotics analysis workshop
Week 9. Visual Media I
Gaze and spectatorship
Week 10. Visual Media II
Pleasure and desire
Week 11. Visual Theory in Practice
In-class workshops and presentations
Week 12: Visual Media III
Gaze, gender and race
Week 13. Global Visual Culture
Visual activism
Week 14
Wrap up and conclusion
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