Visual Communication: A Syllabus

JOUR 300 001 49899 VISUAL COMMUNICATION 0530 - 0645 P TR

Reynolds School of Journalism

Fall semester 2008, Tuesday and Thursday, 5:30 -6:45 PM

Professor Michael Edward Lenert

Office: RSJ 303a

Email: Lenert@unr.edu

Office hours: Thursday 4:30-5:30 and by appointment.

Email: Lenert@unr.ed

Prerequisite: Junior standing

Description:

Study of visual literacy, perception, cognition, aesthetics, design principles, creativity, critical evaluation, and ethics related to the use of images and information in the media. This course is based on the analysis of the five principal fields of media aesthetics: light

and color, two-dimensional space, three-dimensional space, time/motion, and sound.

The major aesthetic factors and processes within these fields are examined and, when

appropriate, put into a production context. This course gives you the conceptual tools to clarify, intensify and interpret events for visual communication. The primary focus of the class is audio/video production.

The course is presented in three basic modes (but not necessarily in this order): (1) lectures, (2) discussions of the reading, and (3) production demonstrations by students and instructor. You, as the student, are expected to read and study the text carefully and assimilate the material so thoroughly that you can apply the basic principles in a variety

of ways in video and other related media productions. All lectures and in-class demonstrations are based on the assumption that you have studied the assigned chapters as indicated by the instructor or in the class schedule. For example, you should be thoroughly familiar with what the text says about structuring the first aesthetic field‚lighting‚when you come to class for the third week of instruction. If you don’t understand some of the terms, consult the extensive glossary at the back of the book.

For this class, it is important to understand that an emphasis on visual messages does not mean that words are considered less important than pictures. The most powerful, meaningful and culturally important messages are those that combine words and pictures in equally respectful ways.

Textbooks:

Required: Sight, Sound Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics by

Herbert Zettl (5^th edition).

Required: A classroom “clicker” (student personal response system).

Required: Additional materials handed out in class or posted on the class website.

Grading and evaluation:

Weekly quizzes on readings = 30%

Two midterms = 30%

Final group project and = 40%

Individual paper

More details about the final group project and individual paper will be presented during class. There will be no final exam.

Your “clicker” (personal response system) is an essential part of your participation in this class. Your quizzes will be based on your input from the clicker. You must bring your clicker to every class starting the second week.

Please keep in mind that class participation is not just talk but rather your contribution to the class that demonstrates your ability to state arguments and ideas effectively.

Understanding the assignments in this class and turning them in on time is your responsibility. Please contact the instructor or teaching assistant if you need more information or clarification. Late work is subject to penalty. No grade on “incomplete” will be given without documented qualifying circumstances and the prior written consent of the instructor.

Attendance is required

Attendance is required. In this class, you do not earn points for attendance but you may lose them. Each unexcused absence may result in a point deduction from your final grade. Please note that arriving late or leaving class before it is dismissed may count as an unexcused absence. An absence may be excused if the professor is contacted in advance and gives approval, or if written documentation or other evidence of a qualifying circumstance is presented as soon as possible after the absence.

Academic Standards and Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the rules and regulations of the University. See: http://www.cis.unr.edu/ecatalog/Default.aspx?article_list_id=11715

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and can result in penalties including being assigned a failing grade or dismissal from the University. According to the UCCSN Student Conduct Code, academic dishonesty is defined as "cheating, plagiarism or otherwise obtaining grades under false pretenses." Plagiarism is using other people’s written words as your own. Be sure to use quote marks and attribute the quote to the correct source.

If you have any special needs, please see the instructor as soon as possible and reasonable accommodation will be made.

For students with disabilities, The University of Nevada, Reno supports providing equal access for students with disabilities. If you have a disability for which you will need to request accommodation, please let me know and contact the Disability Resource Center (Thompson Building 107) as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

Tentative Course Outline:

1. Jan. 20

Introduction to the course

2. Jan. 22

Chapter 1. Applied Media Aesthetics

3. Jan. 27

Chapter 2. Light: The first aesthetic field

4. Jan. 29

Chapter 3. Lighting: Structuring the first aesthetic field

5. Feb. 3

Chapter 4. Color: Extending the first field

6. Feb. 5

Chapter 5. Function and composition: Structuring color

7. Feb 10

Chapter 6. Area: The two-dimensional field

Review and summary

8. Feb. 12

Midterm examination #1 (covers chapters 1-6))

9. Feb 17

Chapter 7. Forces within the screen: The two-dimensional field

10. Feb. 19

Chapter 8. Interplay of screen forces: Structuring the two-dimensional

field

11. Feb. 24

Chapter 9. Depth and volume: The z-axis and depth and volume

12. Feb. 26

Chapter 9 (continued)

13. March 3

{Journalism Week events]

14. March 5

Chapter 10. Screen volume and effects: Structuring the three-dimensional field

15. March 10

Chapter 11. Visualization: Building screen space

16. March 12

Chapter 11 (continued)

* * * Spring Break, March 17 and 19 * * *

17. March 24

Chapter 12. Time: The Four-dimensional field

18. March 26

Chapter 13. Motion: The four-dimensional field

19. March 31

Summary and review

20. April 2

Midterm examination #2

21. April 7

Chapter 14. Timing and principal motions: Structuring the

four-dimensional field

22. April 9

Chapter 14. Timing and principal motions (continued)

23. April 14

Chapter 15. Continuity: Structuring the four-dimensional field

24. April 16

Chapter 16. Complexity editing: Structuring the four-dimensional field

25. April 21

Chapter 17. Sound: The five-dimensional field

Chapter 18. Sound structures and sound pictures combinations:

Structuring the five-dimensional field

26. April 23

Student presentations 1

27. April 28

Student presentations 2 (continued)

28. April 30

Student presentations 3 (continued)

29 May 5

Student presentations 4 (continued)

(Last day of class)