CMSD 103: Intro to Visual Communications

Syllabus

Course Description: 

This multimedia course is an overview of the 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.

Textbook Information:  

There is no textbook required for this course. Occasionally there will be readings from textbooks and academic journals. All materials will be provided in the Canvas course. 

Additional Course Information: 

Our course meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:50 p.m. in room C-104 on the Santa Ana College campus. You are required to attend all classes and turn in all assignments. There is no make-up for in-class work. If 4 unexcused absences are recorded, you may be 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

Meet Your Instructor: 

Professor Sarah Bennett is an award-winning journalist, designer and editor with over a decade of experience in independent and mass media publishing.

Downloadable Syllabus:  

Click the image below to download a PDF of the syllabus

Please ignore any assignments listed in "Course Summary" below!!!  Because this is the first semester that his class is being offered through Canvas, I will be tranferring much of the course content and assignments from Blackboard throughout this semester. THIS LIST IS NOT UP TO DATE.