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 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

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. 

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 the 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.

Students will be notified of assignments and their due dates though the Announcements function and within each module!