Course Syllabus

Spring 2024 | COM-1045-VO03 - Introduction to Visual Communication

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

David Tomasi
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Ashraf Alamatouri

General Education Requirements

VSCS Arts & Aesthetics

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course introduces the concepts of visual literacy and visual rhetoric and explores how photographs, films, cartoons, T-shirts, ads, works of art and all things visible have the capacity to create meaning, provoke response and communicate implied or overt messages. Students will be exposed to a wide range of visual media as they learn to critically "read" visual texts as narrative and argument within particular contexts. They will apply visual comprehension skills in analyzing the power, scope and social significance of the visual world and apply their understanding of the composition and production of effective images and symbols in creating and manipulating their own visual messages.

Essential Objectives

1. Define visual literacy, visual rhetoric, semiotics, and key linguistic concepts such as icons, images and symbols while exploring the linguistic and representational structures of visual information.
2. Discuss the process of visual learning, development of critical viewing skills and importance of achieving fluency in visual communication for contemporary individuals and within key professions.
3. Identify compositional elements of visual media that capture attention, create meaning and influence emotional response; consider the effects of pairing visual features with non-visual attributes.
4. Analyze contemporary visual media using multiple theoretical constructs by articulating possible message content, describing how it is shaped by diverse social, cultural, and political dynamics, and deconstructing images to expose deeper layers of meaning and relevance.
5. Compare and contrast written narratives to their film versions, describing differences in the messages communicated. Through a close reading of the cinematic images, explain how visual material shapes the viewers’ feelings, expectations, sympathies and engagement.
6. Examine the historical development of visual imagery and the growing significance and pervasiveness of visual influence through the development of new media and technology, and their likely impact on perception and contemporary culture now and in the future.
7. Discuss the ethical responsibilities inherent in developing, using, and manipulating visual artifacts and apply an ethical approach in citing, creating and critically evaluating contemporary visual media.
8. Evaluate the effectiveness of a range of visual rhetoric in relevant contexts and determine why some themes or subjects might be better communicated visually than others, while considering the limitations and vulnerabilities of our visual knowledge.
9. Apply visual literacy and rhetorical skills to create projects that demonstrate effective visual statements and arguments in a range of media, demonstrating an ability to convey intended messages and evoke desired responses and emotions through the ethical application of these productions.
10. Identify and explore career areas in art, media and visual communication, and the training/education required to succeed in these areas professionally.
11. Develop a digital portfolio of work reflecting course learning and visual projects completed in the class, which will establish a foundation for displaying future work and ultimately serving as a professional tool.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class. ***

COM-1045-VO03 Link to Textbooks/Resources Information for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

Methods:

·Discussions

·Lectures & Slideshows

·Online activities, including practice

·Written and Creative assignments

·Tests and quizzes

·Mid-term and final exams

·Research project of the student's choosing

The combination of weekly reading, answers to teacher questions, in combination with bonus articles and/or essays, results in relevant discussion which prompts further analysis and discussion of artists, their works, and their lives.

Note on Artificial Intelligence:

The use of generative Artificial Intelligence is not allowed in this course, with the exception of spellcheck, grammar check and similar tools. This course rests in the value of students engaging in the learning process without relying on Artificial Intelligence-generated content. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills independently, owning their learning journey from start to finish. If you use these tools, your actions would be considered academically dishonest and a violation of CCV’s Academic Integrity Policy.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Criteria(points not listed on canvas, but utilized for the purpose of grading the three areas Homework / Participation / Final Project):

• 9-10 pointsEngaged in the activity and participate in the discussion during the class period. Done exceptional artistic/creative work. Participated actively in group work. Volunteered often and in a meaningful way to the class discussion. All work handed in early. Listened attentively while others were talking.
• 8-8.5 pointsParticipated actively in group work. Volunteered occasionally but answered when called upon. All work handed in early or on time. Listened while others were talking.
• 7-7.5 pointsParticipated sometimes or halfheartedly in group work. Did not stay on task during group work. Answered sometimes when called upon. Some late assignments. Listened while others were talking.
• 6-6.5 pointsNot very engaged in group activities and/or conversation. Did not volunteer during classroom discussion.
• 5-5.5 pointsWas not engaged in group activities or got off-topic during group activities. Did things other than the assigned activities during class. Disrupted class by speaking while others were talking.

Average / Midterm / Final Grade Percentages

·35%Homework (assignments, creative and written)

·25%Attendance and Participation in weekly discussions

·40%Final presentation/project

Grading Criteria:

A+ through A-: For any work to receive an "A," it must clearly be exceptional or outstanding work. It must demonstrate keen insight and original thinking. It must not only demonstrate full understanding of the topic or issues addressed, but it must also provide a critical analysis of these. In addition, an "A" grade reflects a student's ability to clearly and thoughtfully articulate his or her learning.

B+ through B-: For any work to receive a "B," it must be good to excellent work. It must demonstrate strong originality, comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a "B" grade reflects a student's ability to clearly articulate his or her learning.

C+ through C-: For any work to receive a "C," it must meet the expectations of the assignment. It must demonstrate solid comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a "C" grade reflects a student's ability to adequately articulate his or her learning.

D+ through D-: For any work to receive a "D," it must marginally meet the expectations of the assignment. It demonstrates minimal comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a "D" grade may reflect a student's difficulty in articulating his or her learning.

F: Work that receives an "F" grade does not meet the expectations or objectives of the assignment. It demonstrates consistent problems with comprehension, organization, critical thinking, and supporting details. In addition, an "F" grade reflects a student's inability to articulate his or her learning. Students are strongly urged to discuss this grade with their instructor and advisor.

P: Equivalent to D (+/-) or better and therefore course will not count as credit for specific program requirements or competence area requirements.

NP: indicates failure to meet course objectives and/or failure to meet grading criteria for successful completion as described in the instructor's course description.

Note on Homework:

The combination of homework, research and portfolio ismeans to an end.It is a way for you to use theskills and structures that we study in class when you are outside of class.Although every homework assignment will count toward your homework grade, you are therefore expected to complete it as preparation for the class and it does count toward your participation grade for the day.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

The combination of weekly reading, answers to teacher questions, and student's posting of their own questions and answers to other student's questions, in combination with bonus posts, results in relevant discussion which prompts further analysis and discussion of artists, art pieces, installations and performances, as well as art movements, philosophies, and texts.

Attendance Policy:

Regular attendance and participation in classes are critical to the passing of this course. They are essential components of a student's success in college and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. Absences are excused in the case of documented illness/hospitalization, documented school activities, religious holidays, and funerals. If you are sick for more than one day or have an emergency, please send an e-mail to the Instructor. A pattern of late arrival or early departure will constitute absence at the instructor's discretion.

Attendance,Missing and Late WorkPolicy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general,missing more than 20% of a course (including late/ missing assignments)due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.Late homework submissions will be graded accordingly (-5%points eachextra late day)
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

More than one absence may result in failure to pass.Three absences (9 hours of class) or morewill lead to a no credit grade.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity