Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Visual Communication

• Unit Code

  VIS5110

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  20

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

---

Description

This unit explores the history of the image and its role in human interactions as well as the collaborations and conflicts that can occur between visual and linguistic modes of communication. Students will explore the growing potential for the visual in a world where technologies enable rapid communications across the globe and between cultures. Students will examine the visual aspects of art, technology, news, design and advertising from multiple perspectives, including psychology, social theory, and art history.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Analyse and understand theories in visual literacy through written and visual responses to an assignment brief.
2. Critique examples of visual communication from the perspective of communications models.
3. Defend a position regarding the debates on visual versus linguistic communication.
4. Understand cross-disciplinary nature of visual communications studies.

Unit Content

1. Debates in the field as to the role of image: reflection or construct.
2. The fluctuating relationship with text.
3. The role of the image in different disciplines including science and technology, the arts, news media, business and other social spheres.
4. Visual communications models and theories.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures. Seminars.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• Berger, J. (1974). Ways of seeing. Middlesex: Penguin.
• Elkins, J. (2008). Visual literacy. New York: Routledge.
• Gregory, R.L. (1970). The intelligent eye. London: Weidenfeld and Nicholson.
• Gombrich, E. (1982). The image and the eye. Oxford: Phaidon.
• Hocks, M.E., & Kendrick, M.R. (Eds.). (2003). Eloquent images: Word and image in the age of new media. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
• Kress, G., & Van Leeuwen, T. (1996). Reading images: The grammar of visual design. New York: Routledge.
• McCloud, S. (1993). Understanding comics, the invisible art. New York: Harper Collins.
• Thomas, J. (Ed.). (2001). Reading images. New York: Palgrave.
• Tufte, E. (1990). Envisioning information. Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press.
• Yantis, S. (Ed.). (2001). Visual perception: Essential reading. London: Taylor & Francis.

Journal References

• Seitz, J.A. (1998). Nonverbal metaphor: A review of theories and evidence. Journal of Genetic, Social and General Psychology Monographs, 56 (1), 121-143.

---