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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 111-3"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Visual Communication"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2015
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Mike Watson
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 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 |
Visual Culture (2nd Edition) | Richard Howells and Joaquim Negreiros | Polity Press | 0745650716 | | | | | |
Introduction to Visual Communication | Susan B. Barnes | Peter Lang | 1433112574 | | | | | |
Media Semiotics: An Introduction second edition | Jonathan Bigell | Manchester University Press | 978-0719062056 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
Midterm | | 20% |
Final exam | | 20% |
Detailed image analysis | | 20% |
Create an infographic | | 25% |
Participation and attendance | More than three unexcused absences will result in the automatic loss of a letter grade/ | 10% |
Journal | You are required to keep a journal and take physical notes during class. No computers will be allowed. | 5% |
-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 co 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:
More than three unexcused absences will result in the automatic loss of a letter grade.
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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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Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Always check the course website before doing your assignments.
Part I: Visual Analysis
Week 1 Introduction to Visual Communication
Howells/Negreiros: Introduction
Barnes: Introduction; Ch 1
Bignell: Introduction
Week 2- 4: Visual Theories, Visual Codes, Genre and Intertextuality (Semiotics)
Howells/Negreiros: Ch 1-4 & 6
Barnes: Chapters 2-4
Bignell: Chapters 1
Week 5: Persuasion
Barnes: Ch 13
Bignell: Ch 2
Midterm/Visual Analysis (first day of week 6)
Part II: Images Analysis
Week 6: Media Literacy and Visual Analysis
Barnes: Ch 5-6
Additional readings: Handout
Week 7 and 8: Typography, Graphic Design and Information Graphic
Assignment: Create an information graphic
Lester: Ch 7: Typography; Ch 8: Graphic Design; Ch 9: Informational Graphics
Barnes: Ch 7
Bignell: Ch 3-4
Part II: Media Formats
Week 9: Drawing and Painting: From fine art to comics
Howells/Negreiros: Ch 7
Lester: Ch 10: Cartoons
Additional Reading: Understanding Comics, Ch 1 (PDF, available on course website)
Image analysis due
Week 10: Photography
Howells/Negreiros: Ch 8
Lester: Ch 11: Photography
Week 11: Film
Barnes: Ch 8
Bignell: Ch 9
Week 12: TV
Barnes: Ch 10
Bignell: Ch 5-7
Week 13: Computers and the Web: Memes, Viral Imagery and Culture Jamming
Howells/Negreiros: Ch 11
Week 14: Conclusion: Global Visual Culture
Barnes: Ch 14
Howells/Negreiros: Conclusion
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