Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Always check the course website before doing your assignments.
Week 1 (May 25-28): Introduction to Visual Communication; Visual Theories, Visual Codes
Day 1: Introduction to visual communication
Day 2: Iconology and Formalism
Day 3: Ideology
Day 4: Sensory Theories
Lester: Ch 1: Visual Communication; Ch 2: Visual Cues; Ch 3: Visual Theories
Additional readings: Handout
Week 2 (June 1-4): Semiotics and Persuasion
Day 1: Semiotics
Day 2: No class (Holiday)
Day 3: Persuasion
Day 4: Review
Lester: Ch 4: Visual Persuasion; Ch 5: Visual Stereotypes; Ch 6: Visual Analysis
Week 3 (June 8-12): Visual Analysis and Media Formats
Day 1: Midterm
Day 2: Visual Analysis
Day 3: Typography
Day 4: Graphic Design
Day 5: Information Graphics (Make-up day)
Lester: Ch 7: Typography; Ch 8: Graphic Design; Ch 9: Informational Graphics
Additional readings: Handout
Week 4 (June 15-18): Media Formats Cont.
Day 1: Cartoons (Visual Analysis Paper Due)
Day 2: Photography
Day 3: Film
Day 4: Television
Lester: Ch 10: Cartoons; Ch 11: Photography; Ch 12: Motion Pictures; Ch 13: Television
Additional Reading: Understanding Comics, ch. 1 (PDF, available on course website)
Additional reading: On Photography (“In Plato’s Cave,” “The Image-World”), Susan Sontag
Week 5 (June 22-25): Media Formats Cont.
Day 1: Computers and the Web
Day 2: Global Communications
Day 3: Ethics/Review
Day 4: Final
Day 5: No Class
Lester: Ch 14: Computers, Ch 15: The Web; Ch 16: The More You Know, the More You See
Additional reading TBA