Syllabus

Visual Literacy

COMMS 303

Spring 2015, Credit Hours: 3

9:30-12:00 MWT

220 BRMB

Instructor: Clark Callahan                                                     Office: 308 BRMB

Email: clark_callahan@byu.edu                                           Phone: 422-1493

Office Hours: 

Required Text:

Hand, D., & Middleditch, S.  (2013)  Design for media: A handbook for students and professionals in journalism, PR, and advertising.  New York: Pearson.

Course Description

We live in a visual world. We are bombarded by images on a daily basis. Just like other forms of literacy, you are actually quite versed in the language of images. This course will focus on becoming even more literate within the visual language which we are immersed. This course will not only help you to "read" what you see in a more critical way, but it will also help you create images that will be compelling and thoughtful. Various topics around design will be covered along with the concepts of creativity, perception, semiotics, gestalt theory, and the motion picture.

Course Purpose

This course is not designed as a learning course. It is designed as a training course. There is a fundamental difference between these two approaches. In this class you will be expected to think critically and to individually tailor the content to your own benefit. To do this you will need to first identify your own interests within the field. Second, you will use the content in the course to start developing your specialty niche. 

Course Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to communicate effectively with their audiences. Students should be able to:

·      Apply appropriate technology to the creation and dissemination of messages.

·      Understand and respect differing people, opinions, and ideas.

·      Students will be scholars of the mass communication process.  In particular, students should be able to:

·      Apply relevant theory to communication practice.

·      Think critically about the relationship between mass media and society.

·      Students will be able to apply Gospel-centered values as they contribute to society.  In particular, students will be able to:

·      Respect diversity and agency in a global society.

·      Show a commitment to making a positive difference within their sphere of influence.

·      Critically evaluate media-related issues in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

     

Student Learning Goals

It is important that you set individual goals for yourself during this course. You will be asked to write these down and share them with me.  These goals could be broad or they could be very individual. Whatever you decide make sure that they are both meaningful and achievable. 

Course Policies

Class Expectations

1)         Attend every class

2)         Arrive on time

3)         Stay for the entire class period

4)         Read all assigned articles, chapters, or sections

5)         Participate in class

Please make sure cell phones and pagers do not ring during class. 

Inform me if an emergency prevents you from submitting an assignment on its due date.  If you are absent during your scheduled presentation, you will be penalized unless you provide proof on an excused absence.  If you are absent/tardy for any reason, you are responsible for the material covered and any announcements made.

There is one small deviation from the class attendance policy.  There will be times when you are ill or otherwise unable to attend class.  You will be allowed two (2) absences with no grade penalty—no questions asked.  Please use these wisely and only for necessary reasons.

Academic Honesty

The first injunction of the BYU Honor Code is the call to be honest. Students come to the university not only to improve their minds, gain knowledge, and develop skills that will assist them in their life’s work, but also to build character. President David O. McKay taught that “character is the highest aim of education” (The Aims of a BYU Education, p. 6). It is the purpose of the BYU Academic Honesty Policy to assist in fulfilling that aim. BYU students should seek to be totally honest in their dealings with others. They should complete their own work and be evaluated based upon that work. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct.

Honor Code

In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the university’s expectation, and my own expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.

Plagiarism

Writing submitted for credit at BYU must consist of the student's own ideas presented in sentences and paragraphs of his or her own construction. The work of other writers or speakers may be included when appropriate (as in a research paper or book review), but such material must support the student's own work (not substitute for it) and must be clearly identified by appropriate introduction and punctuation and by footnoting or other standard referencing.

The substitution of another person's work for the student's own or the inclusion of another person's work without adequate acknowledgment (whether done intentionally or not) is known as plagiarism. It is a violation of academic, ethical, and legal standards and can result in a failing grade not only for the paper but also for the course in which the paper is written. In extreme cases, it can justify expulsion from the University. Because of the seriousness of the possible consequences, students who wonder if their papers are within these guidelines should visit the Writing Lab or consult a faculty member who specializes in the teaching of writing or who specializes in the subject discussed in the paper. Useful books to consult on the topic include the current Harcourt Brace College Handbook, the MLA Handbook, and James D. Lester's Writing Research Papers.

Preventing Sexual Harassment

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds. The act is intended to eliminate sex discrimination in education. Title IX covers discrimination in programs, admissions, activities, and student-to-student sexual harassment. BYU’s policy against sexual harassment extends not only to employees of the university, but to students as well. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please talk to your professor; contact the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895 or 367-5689 (24-hours); or contact the Honor Code Office at 422-2847.

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability which may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office (422-2767). Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified, documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by the SSD Office. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures by contacting the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895, D-285 ASB.

Use of Technology in the Classroom

Technology is an essential part of today’s learning environment, which is why the School of Communications requires every student to own a laptop. However, when used inappropriately, technology can hinder learning. Research has shown that using digital devices to do off-task things such as surfing and texting not only reduce the user’s grades but also the grades of those around him or her.  Unfortunately, every person sitting around such students is distracted by this behavior. As a result of such distraction and its subsequent negative effects on the learning environment, the following policy will be effective in this class: Using laptops or phones in class to legitimately take notes or work on class projects is allowed, but all other use of laptops or digital devices in class is prohibited.  Please respect your fellow students and professors and abide by this policy.

Assignment Descriptions:

There will be three types of assignments in this course, projects, exams, and a paper.  

I will provide a detailed assignment description for each project.  These will be found on the class blog: viscomm303.blogspot.com.  This is also where you will upload your projects.

Second, there will be two tests, a midterm and a final.  These usually contain around 30 multiple-choice questions and 5-7 short answer questions.

Finally, you will be asked to write a 3-5 page paper.  In this paper you will identify an important visual (you will need to justify your selection), describe why that visual is important, discuss the reasons behind its construction, etc.  The purpose of this paper is to allow you the freedom to explore visuals and understand how/why they were created as well as understand their cultural and historical impacts.