Graduate Studies Reports Access
Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - VIC6007
Tracking Number - 2433
Edit function not enabled for this course.
Current Status:
Approved, Permanent Archive - 2011-04-04
Campus: St Petersburg
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only):
Comments: USF STPT approved; To USF Inst fo rconcurrence. SCNS approved effective 3/1/11. Prefix/number changed from MMC 6xxx to VIC 6007
Detail Information
- Date & Time Submitted: 2010-12-10
- Department: Mass Communications
- College: AP
- Budget Account Number: 120100
- Contact Person: Mark Walters
- Phone: 7278734544
- Email: mjw@mail.usf.edu
- Prefix: VIC
- Number: 6007
- Full Title: Visual Communication Theory
- Credit Hours: 3
- Section Type: C -
Class Lecture (Primarily)
- Is the course title variable?: N
- Is a permit required for registration?: N
- Are the credit hours variable?: N
- Is this course repeatable?:
- If repeatable, how many times?: 0
- Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Visual Communication Theory
- Course Online?: O -
Online (100% online)
- Percentage Online: 0
- Grading Option:
R - Regular
- Prerequisites: None
- Corequisites: None
- Course Description: Digital technology has rewritten the rules of visual communication. This course explores evolving visual communication theories and case studies of visual representations in mass media in light of digital technology.
- Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Needed to compete with national trends
- What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? Most journalism schools (let alone the journalism profession) have utterly failed to keep up with the rapid changes in technologies and values that have redefined the field of professional journalism. Retrofitting old approaches to create new understandings and insights has proven insufficient. Entirely new models and approaches to the remade profession are required. This new course will explicitly direct and support students in integrating all these technologies and approaches into an applied work of digital journalism. This course will be part of the essential training for journalists in the digital era.
- Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? No
- What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) Professional experience in new digital media, especially in the convergence of various forms of media. Online teaching experience is also required.
- Objectives: 1) Theory. Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of digital images and information in the digital age. Measures: 8 discussion papers & a final project (research paper) about digital visual communication theories. The papers will require students to identify visual communication examples (logos, websites, graphics, photos) and describe the theories and design principles used to produce those digital materials.
2) Critical Thinking. Think critically, creatively and independently. Measures: 8 discussion papers & a final project (research paper). Students will have to summarize the major schools of thoughts, and present their own arguments pro and con a certain position.
3) Visual Literacy. Understand the meaning, functions, and proper uses of images. Measures: 8 discussion papers & a final project (research paper). For the successful completion of all assignments, student must discuss the specifics of visual comm pieces, identify symbols and how nd why those particular symbols, colors, etc. were used.
- Learning Outcomes: 1) Theory. Measures: 8 discussion papers & a final project (research paper) about visual communication theories. The papers will require students to identify visual communication examples (logos, websites, graphics, photos) and describe the theories and design principles used to produce those materials.
2) Critical Thinking. Measures: 8 discussion papers & a final project (research paper). Students will have to summarize the major schools of thoughts, and present their own arguments pro and con a certain position.
3) Visual Literacy. Measures: 8 discussion papers & a final project (research paper). For the successful completion of all assignments, student must discuss the specifics of visual comm pieces, identify symbols and how and why those particular symbols, colors, etc. were used.
- Major Topics: Visual communication in the digital age, Visual theory, Photography, Photojournalism, Media visual coverage of certain topics (war, politics, elections, etc.), Online visuals.
- Textbooks: National Press Photographers Association. Photojournalist's Code of Ethics http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/ethics.html
Trischa Goodnow (2006). On Black Panthers, Blue Ribbons, & Peace Signs: The Function of Symbols in Social Campaigns. Visual Communication Quarterly, 13(3), pages 166 - 179
Banning, S. & Coleman, R. (2009). Louder than Words: A Content Analysis of Presidential Candidates' Televised Nonverbal Communication. Visual Communication Quarterly, 16(1), 4-17.
- Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases: -Library of Congress Flickr Photo stream http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/galleries/
-Linda Scott (1994). Images in Advertising: The Need for a Theory of Visual Rhetoric, Journal of Consumer Research, 21(2), pp. 252- 273.
-S Sundar (2000). Multimedia effects on processing and perception of online news: A study of picture, audio, and video downloads.Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly.
-Neil Thurman and Ben Lupton (2008). Convergence Calls: Multimedia Storytelling at British News Websites Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies November 2008 14: 439-455.
- Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: There are 1,000 points total in this class, 8 assignments x 100 points each, and a final project worth 200 points.
- Assignments, Exams and Tests: Assignment 1: Identify 5 pieces of design based on Gestalt theory. Identify the principles used to create the design. Discuss how the principles were applied. Due beginning of Week 2.
Assignment 2: Identify 5 pieces of design based on Semiotic theory. Identify the principles used to create the design. Discuss how the principles were applied. Due beginning of Week 3.
Assignment 3: Create a list of 3 pros and 3 cons about today's media landscape where every single aspect of reality can be captured through photography by anyone and distributed to millions of consumers. Due by beginning of Week 5.
Assignment 4: Identify one news/media/historic event where photos of that event significantly influenced public opinion and behavior about that particular event or topic. Describe the event, include the photos that influenced the public and the media, and discuss the effects on society.
Assignment 5: Follow the coverage of one political event on television. It can be a current event or older recordings. Discuss how the politicians were covered visually throughout the event (camera angles, shots, body language, etc.) and the potential effects of the coverage on viewers. Due beginning of Week 8.
Assignment 6: Find 5 visuals of the Iraq or Afghan war from a mainstream media source and compare them to 5 visuals of the war from alternative and citizen-media sources. Due beginning of Week 9.
Assignment 7: Find examples of user-generated visuals published by mainstream media. Discuss the quality and framing of those visuals in comparison to visuals produced by MSM. Beginning of Week 10.
Assignment 8: Interview readers of online news about their experience with multimedia news. Report the findings in a 1-2 page paper. beginning of Week 12.
Final Project: Select any of the topics discussed throughout the class and conduct a case study of how a particular media organization or website follows (or not) the theories and practices you learned about. Due Final Exam Week.
- Attendance Policy: First Day online "attendance" is required.
All online sessions, meetings and assignments are required. Weekly online sessions require full participation from the students. Discussions with your instructor and the other students are required elements of class activities and assignments.
Students are responsible for dropping undesired courses in these categories by the 5th day of classes to avoid fee liability and academic penalty. (See USF Regulation – Registration - 4.0101,
http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/ogc%20web/currentreg.htm)
Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days by Students: In accordance with Sections 1006.53 and 1001.74(10)(g) Florida Statutes and Board of Governors Regulation 6C-6.0115, the University of South Florida (University/USF) has established the following policy regarding religious observances: (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/gc_pp/acadaf/gc10-045.htm)
In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Blackboard site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and department websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general information.
- Policy on Make-up Work: Assignment guidelines will be strictly observed except for absences as specified in university guidelines. Late work is accepted but will be penalized 15% of assignment value for every 24-hour period after assignment deadline is due. Late assignments more than 3 day late will not be accepted.
- Program This Course Supports: Journalism and Media Studies
- Course Concurrence Information: NA
- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.