Visual Communications: A 10-Week Syllabus (11 Class Meetings)

Visual Communications: Image is Everything?

This course attempts to explore several questions. Since the widespread us of Gutenberg's printing press, there has always been the assumption that information is best communicated through written formats. But since the invention of the computer and desktop publishing, the role of visual messages in the communication process is expanding. Much of the information in the course and textbook will be new to you because most of your instruction has concentrated on the importance of words. This course is an attempt to even the score between words and pictures. But such a task requires many words. It is important to understand that an emphasis on visual messages does not mean that words are considered less important than pictures. The most powerful, meaningful and culturally important messages are those that combine words and pictures in equally respectful ways. Visual Communications is an exploration into the idea that memorable visual messages with text have the greatest power to inform, educate, and persuade an individual. This course is an attempt to discover why some images are remembered while most are not.

Textbooks:

Required: Visual Communication Images with Messages by Paul Martin Lester

Grading:

Test 1: 25 percent Test 2: 30 percent Final: 35 percent Attendance: 10 percent

Attendance:

Attendance will be taken twice each day. Each absence will count five points off your attendance grade unless you let me know before class that you will be absent. You will only be allowed three pre-approved excuses. There are no excuses given for the last class.

Extra Credit:

You can receive five points added to your attendance grade for each typewritten, two-page analysis of any visual message you find within any medium that you think stereotypes a specific cultural group. See chapter seven of the textbook for ideas. You may turn in up to 15 of these papers at any time in the semester up until the last class. In addition, you can write a 10-page paper for 25 points that addresses all six perspectives for analysis detailed in the textbook. You can come by my office and see previous examples.

Course Outline:

Each day is divided into two classes. The topic before the slash (/) is discussed from X:XX - X:XX and the topic after the slash is covered from X:XX - X:XX. Times are approximate given the subject matter.

Class 1: Introduction to the Course/Light

• Readings: Preface, Chapters 1 & 2

Class 2: Eye and the Brain/Visual Cues: Color, Form, Depth & Movement

• Readings: Chapters 3 & 4

Class 3: Visual Theories/Visual Persuasion

• Readings: Chapters 5 & 6

Class 4: Media Stereotyping/Image Analysis

• Readings: Chapters 7 & Section Four Introduction

Class 5: Typography/TEST ONE (Preface to Chapter 7)

• Reading: Chapter 8

Class 6: Graphic Design/Informational Graphics

• Readings: Chapters 9 & 10

Class 7: Cartoons/Photography

• Readings: Chapters 11 & 12

Class 8: Motion Pictures/TEST TWO (Image Analysis to Chapter 11)

• Reading: Chapter 13

Class 9: Television and Video/Computers

• Readings: Chapters 14 & 15

Class 10: World Wide Web/Conclusion: Extra Credit Papers Are Due

• Readings: Chapters 16 & 17

Class 11: FINAL EXAM