CMSD 103: Intro to Visual Communications

Syllabus

Course Description: 

This multimedia course is an overview of the physical, social and cultural implications of visual communications, from cave paintings to modern day digital media. Using works of philosophical, historical and cultural importance, students will analyze and debate the changes in the ways visual communications affect society and shape cultural values.

Meet Your Instructor: 

Assistant Professor Sarah Bennett is an award-winning arts and culture journalist, page designer and editor with over a decade of experience in mass media publishing. She has helped independent newspapers and magazines create compelling layouts for their print editions and is currently an adviser of Santa Ana College's student-run newsmagazine el Don.

Textbook Information:  

There is no textbook required for this course. Readings will be assigned weekly from nonfiction books, textbooks and academic journals. All materials will be provided in the Canvas course. 

Course Site: 

Our course can be accessed at rsccd.instructure.com. You may access our Canvas course site from any computer with an internet connection or from the Canvas mobile apps. When you are officially enrolled in the class and the class has been made available, you will have access to our class on the college Canvas site. You are expected to monitor the Canvas website and complete all assignments in a timely manner. You are required to login at least once every two days or risk being dropped from the class.

By the end of this course, students should be able to: 

• Describe the unique characteristics of visual communication
• Demonstrate an ability to analyze visual messages in a variety of mediated contexts
• Analyze the historical influence of media on visual communications
• Write summaries, analysis and evaluations of various visual media, including cartoons, graphic novels and advertisements
• Participate in large and small groups, discussing critical works of social, historical and cultural importance
• Recognize visual stereotypes and understand what they reveal about branding, identity, culture and privilege
• Explore the use of typography as artwork
• Explain visual and perceptual theories of semiotics, gestalt, constructivism and more
• Measure ways that visual messages are employed in efforts of visual persuasion
• Compare and contrast artistic movements that have influenced visual communication over history

Homework Assignments and Requirements

DEADLINES

• Unless otherwise specified, all initial discussion board assignments must be completed by Thursday night at 11:59 p.m. in order to receive credit. All responses to classmates’ posts must be completed by Friday night at 11:59pm in order to be counted.
• Keep in mind that for the discussion boards, Canvas will only list one deadline -- the last one -- as your due date. You are still required to turn in your first post the day before. 
• For the midterm and final, you will have until Saturday night at 11:59pm to complete.

READING

• Students will critically read the assigned texts, essays and articles relevant to the course’s objectives. Occasionally the teacher will post supplementary readings that are suggested to clarify and enhance understanding of certain points, but are not required.
• Students will analyze various visual media for visual cues, cultural context and artistic strategies.
• Students will be encouraged to look beyond a text to observe examples of meaning, visual structures and persuasion.

WRITING

• Students will be required to make weekly discussion board threads analyzing and reflecting on various aspects of visual communication. Prompts for each post and responses will be made clear by the instructor at the beginning of each week.
• Occasionally small writing assignments may be given within the module to reiterate important concepts.
• Students will prepare one essay that is both explanatory and persuasive in nature during the semester, using a visit to an art gallery as a way to address critical positions on visual communications.
• Discussion board assignments will range from short, concise responses to more extensive and sustained analyses.

TESTS

• There will be several quizzes given during the course, plus one midterm and one final, all representing a mix of objective multiple choice, reflection and essay questions.
• The midterm and final are derived from assigned readings, multimedia presentations, discussion boards and other related materials. You are responsible for all information presented in the course.

ARE YOU READY FOR ONLINE LEARNING?

This is a college level course. Many students expect that an online course will be easier, or entail less time. This is not true.

This online class will take just as much time as a traditional classroom course. For our 3-unit course, you are required to spend 3 lecture hours and 6 hours of student preparation, or approximately 9 hours total, per week.

• This course is geared for students who are self-directed, manage their time and have basic computer skills. It is mandatory to be able to use the Internet and type all assignments.
• If you've taken courses in Blackboard before, give yourself some more time in our Canvas' classroom to familiarize yourself with its setup and navigation basics. It's different than Blackboard but all around more intuitive and easier to use. 
• If you haven't taken an online class before, please take advantage of the Distance Education resources at SAC to help you prepare for learning online. 
• Regardless of your skill level with online learning, please watch SAC's Canvas Course Introduction videos that will debrief you on how to navigate through this class and the material. 

Downloadable Syllabus:  

Above is only a partial syllabus! Click the image below to download a PDF of the full syllabus. It is our contract for the semester and by continuing in this course, you agree to abide by its rules and content.