Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 111-2"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Visual Culture"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2026

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Anna Gorchakovskaya
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
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 two main sections: In Part I Visual Culture: Theory & Concepts the course will focus on exploring and gaining an initial understanding of the main theories, concepts, ideas of visual culture as a field. In Part II Images in Context: Visual Technologies, Media & Environments students will apply the theories covered in Part I to the analysis of a variety of images and explore the specificity and characteristics of different media.

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
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.	15 %
Midterm Exam	Midterm exam is a written exam on the contents of the first part of the course.	25 %
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.	25 %
Forum Assignments	Weekly written assignments will need to be completed throughout the course.	15 %

-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 1 – Visual Culture: Theory & Concepts

WEEK 1: Introduction

Defining Visual Culture; Visual Literacy; What Do Pictures Want?

Lesson 1.1: Tuesday 20 January

Lesson 1.2: Thursday 22 January

WEEK 2: Ideas and Concepts

Spectatorship; Practices of Looking; Viewers Making Meaning

Lesson 2.1: Tuesday 27 January

Lesson 2.2: Thursday 29 January

WEEK 3: Ideas and Concepts

Images, Power and Politics; Ideology and Visuality

Lesson 3.1: Tuesday 3 February

Lesson 3.2: Thursday 5 February

WEEK 4: A Visual Culture Toolbox

Visual Analysis and Contextual Analysis

Lesson 4.1: Tuesday 10 February

Lesson 4.2: Thursday 12 February

WEEK 5: A Visual Culture Toolbox

Iconography and Iconology; Iconology Workshop

Lesson 5.1: Tuesday 17 February

Lesson 5.2: Thursday 19 February

WEEK 6: A Visual Culture Toolbox

Introduction to Semiotics: Connotation, Mythology and Other Key Concepts

Lesson 6.1: Tuesday 24 February

Lesson 6.2: Thursday 26 February

WEEK 7: Conclusions + Image Analysis Workshop + Midterm

Lesson 7.1: Tuesday 3 March

Lesson 7.2: Thursday Thursday 5 March

9-13 March - Fall Break

Part 2 – Images in Context: Visual Technologies, Media & Environments

WEEK 8: Realism and Perspective

Lesson 8.1: Tuesday 17 March

Lesson 8.2: Thursday 19 March

WEEK 9: Photographic Ambiguity and Image Reproduction

Lesson 9.1: Tuesday 24 March

Lesson 9.1: Thursday 26 March

WEEK 10: Time-Based Media

Lesson 10.1: Tuesday 31 March

Lesson 10.2: Thursday 1 April

WEEK 11: Consumer Culture and Advertising

Lesson 11.1: Tuesday 7 April

Lesson 11.2: Thursday 9 April

WEEK 12: Digital Culture & Internet Culture

Lesson 12.1: Tuesday 14 April

Lesson 12.2: Thursday 16 April

WEEK 13: Final Presentations

Students present their case studies

Lesson 14.1: Tuesday 21 April

Lesson 14.2: Thursday 23 April

WEEK 14: Final Presentations

Students present their case studies

Lesson 15.1: Tuesday 28 April

Lesson 15.2: Thursday 30 April

FINAL EXAM (date tbc)

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