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required textbooks
an introduction to visual culture by nicholas mirzoeff
routledge, 2nd ed, 2009the elements of style (visual version) by Strunk, White, Kalman
penguin, 2000an anthology of graphic fiction, cartoons, and true stories ed ivan brunetti
yale univ press, 2008understanding comics, the invisible art by scott mccloud
harper paperbacks, 1994the principles of uncertainty by maira kalman
penguin, 2007when I see the sea once more will the sea have seen or not seen me?
—d.h. lawrence
other required resources
frequent access to, and familiarity with, email, blackboard, and microsoft word
access to home or school computers installed with visual programs such as adobe photoshop or elements, microsoft power point, etc.
ability, as needed, to access the technology learning and media center at ITS
Important note: our anthology of comics (Brunetti) is a challenging book in many ways, one of which is its potentially offensive content in spots. Your assigned reading will not include the most agregious of these. If you are uncomfortable using the text at all, please speak to me ASAP so that we can arrange alternatives.
Course Objectives
This course involves a combination of reflection, practical application, and brazen experiment.
At the end of the semester, students should be able to:
- Discuss visual culture and language intelligently with classmates, instructors, friends and family, drawing on principles and vocabulary introduced in class.
- Explain the importance of visual literacy to classmates, instructors, friends and family.
- Analyze print and screen forms of communication with precision, drawing on the frameworks introduced in class.
- "Write visually." I.e., produce effective visual communication in several genres and media related to personal, professional, and/or educational goals.
Major Coursework and Grades
Grading is based on a simple, cummulative, 100-point scale. The final grade scale looks like this:
88-100 pts. = A
75-87 pts. = B
62-74 pts. = C
49-61 pts. = DSemester points are earned through the following:
Projects (55 pts. total possible) (For full instructions, click on each project title below.)
- Timeline of Visual Culture (15 points possible)
- Visual Essay (Reading Film) (20 points possible)
- Graphic Fiction (20 points possible)
Learning Log (30 pts. total possible; 2-4 pts. per class session)
For full instructions, click here.
You will compile, over the course of the semester, a "log" of class notes for each Wednesday class session. For the first 5-10 minutes of each class, you'll write "sign-in notes," and for the final 5-10 minutes, you'll write "sign-out notes," based on specific instructions for any given session. You'll keep these compiled religiously in an electronic folder.
If you arrive late to a given class session, you will only be able to write in your log up to the designated stop time.
The learning log will help you to reflect on, retain, and otherwise digest class lecture and discussion from week to week. It will also provide a record of your attendance and engagement with course materials.
From time to time you'll hand in a given day's sign-in or sign-out notes to help me prepare for the next class and to see how you're doing with a particular subject. You'll also hand in your whole log once or twice during the semester for my feedback, then again with your portfolio at the end of the term.
Sign-in notes will typically include the following:
a) a summary of key points and in-class activity from the previous week's meeting; and
b) some form of report and reflection on the current day's reading assignment, sometimes in the form of a quiz.
Sign-out notes will typically include
a) some form of reflection and report on that day's lecture and discussion (e.g., what was clearest, what is still fuzzy, questions you may have, ideas you are mulling, etc.); and
b) tasks you will set yourself for the coming week.
Your log will be scored twice in the term, once about a third into the semester, and again after May 10th. (Late logs will only be accepted with documented evidence of serious harship or illness.)
Note: it's important that you keep these sign-in/sign-out notes neatly compiled and dated throughout the term. If you miss a class, it's your responsibility to contact a couple classmates for help writing your learning log notes. Be sure, however, to strictly use your own words and to credit any help.
Portfolio (15 pts. possible)For full instructions, click here.
Your electronic portfolio will be handed in no later than Monday, May 10th. (Late portfolios are only accepted with documented evidence of serious hardship or illness.) It will be scored/graded for presentation, and, in the case of the letter, also for content. The portfolio will include the following:
1) A letter to me reflecting on what you've learned over the course of the semester.
2) Copies of your finished projects.
3) Your learning log.
A Note about Weekly WorkIn-class writing and exercises will be quite varied and quite frequent. I'll generally collect this material, write brief feedback, then return it to you for use in your learning logs. This work cannot be made up if you happen to miss a class. You may, however, contact several classmates for notes in order to write informed learning log entries.
Performance and Participation
This is a Hybrid Course
This is a two-session per week course. However, we only meet face-to-face on Wednesdays. You are expected to complete the second session's worth of work on your own time during any given week. Self-discipline and initiative are therefore extra important. You'll need to take responsibility for your time and be sure that you complete each week's tasks. These will sometimes include meeting with your classmates to work in groups.
Coming Late to Class =
A BAD IDEA. It's disruptive and rude, and you will have less time to work on your learning log. You'll also miss important announcements and instructions which are covered in the first few minutes of every session. You are responsible for knowing announcements and instructions whether you are present or not.
Missing Class
If you miss a class meeting, the first thing you must do is check the online schedule as well as Blackboard (Power Point Presentations and Discussion Board in particular). When you've informed yourself by reading those documents, next CONTACT SEVERAL CLASSMATES for full notes. THEN, if you have INFORMED questions or need handouts, you may see or email me at any time. DO NOT first come to me asking: what did we do? You are responsible for finding out what transpired in any class session on your own.
Once you've gathered info for a missed class, you can make your learning log entries for the day.
In email communications with me, ALWAYS include the name of the course you are in and its section number, if applicable.
If any part of these policies is confusing to you, please inquire in class so that I can clarify things for the whole group.
Failure to heed the above information may result in my sending you to the "YOU ARE A DORK" web page.
Digging Class
A key word in this class is CURIOSITY. One of the WORST things you can do is tell me that SOMETHING BORED YOU. All coursework will require active thinking and engagement. If you are energetically reflecting, imagining, questioning, and struggling when you read course materials or complete course work, YOU WILL NEVER BE BORED. Admissions of boredom are embarassing, because they reveal that you yourself are a boring person.
If you do not UNDERSTAND something, do not become frustrated, angry, or defeated. REJOICE! :) You are in exactly the right place to begin LEARNING. When confused or otherwise stumped, ASK QUESTIONS. Be willing to be dumb. Dig. Explore. LOOK THINGS UP. Engage others. Contact your instructor. And, yes, even RE-READ assignments!
Class participation does not simply mean perfect attendance. Becoming a better writer requires critical thinking, dialogue, and practice. This is in part a workshop course, which requires your active input and involvement.
Web-Surfing, Facebooking, Texting, Etc.
None of these activities is permitted in class unless they are linked directly to coursework.
Policies (Course, Department, and University)
Americans with Disabilities Act: "Any students with disabilities or other special needs, who need specific accomodations in this course, are invited to share these concerns or requests with the instructor as soon as possible."
Deadlines:
Project deadlines include a 1-week grace period. Any projects turned in late but within the 1-week mark will not be subject to any penalty other than late scoring/grading. That is, if you turn you project in late but within the grace period, it will be scored/graded after other student work, and generally at the instructor's convenience. Please note that it is in your interests to receive your scores as soon as possible, so that you can keep track of your progress in the course. Late turn-ins are not advisable.
Your learning log is due once at the semester 1/3 point, and again by Monday, May 10th. Portfolios are also due May 10th. Late logs and portfolios will only be accepted with documented evidence of serious hardship or illness.
No work will be accepted after the last day of finals week.
English Department Attendance Policy: "In compliance with NDSU University Senate Policy, Section 333: Class Attendance and Policy and Procedure, located at <http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/policy/333.htm>, the English Department has established the following attendance policy. All English Department courses require active learning. Students are expected to speak, listen, and contribute. Therefore, prompt, regular attendance is required. Students who miss more than four weeks of class during the standard academic semester (e.g. twelve 50 minute classes, eight 75 minute classes, or their equivalent) will not pass the course. Moreover, each student is accountable for all work missed because of absence, and instructors have no obligation to make special arrangements for missed work."
Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism: "work submitted for this course must adhere to the Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct as cited in the Handbook of Student Policies: 'The academic community is operated on the basis of honesty, integrity, and fair play. Occasionally, this trust is violated when cheating occurs, either inadvertently or deliberately. This code will serve as the guideline for cases where cheating, plagiarism, or other academic improprieties have occurred. . . . Faculty members may fail the student for the particular assignment, test, or course involved, or they may recommend that the student drop the course in question, or these penalties may be varied with the gravity of the offense and the circumstances of the particular case' (65). See also: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/policy/335.htm."
Academic Honesty Defined: All written and oral presentations must “respect the intellectual rights of others. Statements lifted verbatim from publications must be cited as quotations. Ideas, summaries or paraphrased material, and other information taken from the literature must be properly referenced” (Guidelines for the Presentation of Disquisitions, NDSU Graduate School , 4). In other words, if it is not your work or words, give proper credit to the author.
English Department Policy on Plagiarism: " Instructors in the English department try to distinguish between inadvertent and deliberate plagiarism. Initial instances of inadvertent plagiarism will be pointed out and revision will be expected; deliberate plagiarism may result in zero for an assignment, possible F for the course. Plagiarism isn’t worth it. You all have your own great ideas; why not share them?"
Code of Student Behavior: "all interactions in this course will be civil and show respect for others. Student conduct at NDSU is governed by the Code of Student Behavior: http://www.ndsu.edu/ndsu/vpsa/code/."
University's Emergency Action Guide: http://www.ndsu.edu/police_safety/safety/Forms/EmergencyActionGuidePosterNew09.pdf . We are told that it's always good to review this info.
General Education OutcomesEnglish 357, Visual Language and Culture, has been approved for the Communications category in general education in the North Dakota University System. Students in this course will be asked to meet two General Education Outcomes:
GE Outcome 1: Communicate effectively in a variety of contexts and modes, using a variety of communication skills.
- Communicate effectively in assigned written, visual, and hybrid genres (written-visual).
- Develop a meta-language for being able to talk about and analyze visual language.
GE Outcome 6: Integrate knowledge and ideas in a coherent and meaningful manner.
- Provide written analysis of visual language artifacts.
- Demonstrate understanding of the history of visual culture and language.
English Department Content Goal for this Course
While this course is designed to appeal to, and be appropriate for, students from all majors at NDSU, English majors taking this course will produce work that can meet three departmental outcomes. English majors in this class should save all work for possible inclusion in their capstone portfolio.
- Outcome 1: English majors will be able to write and speak effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences in a variety of genres and media.
- Outcome 2: English majors will be able to read (analyze, interpret, critique, evaluate) written and visual texts.
- Outcome 6: English majors will be familiar with visual language and communication as culturally and historically embedded practices.
This course can also count towards an English Minor in Writing.
NDSU Writer's Link Campus Map College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Blackboard
Thanks to Melissa Vossen and Kevin Brooks for many of the materials and information on this website.
