Module Information

Module Identifier

FM21820

Module Title

READING THE VISUAL

Academic Year

2012/2013

Co-ordinator

Dr Daniel Chandler

Semester

Semester 1

Pre-Requisite

Successful completion of Part 1

Course Delivery

Delivery Type	Delivery length / details
Lecture	10 x 2 hour Lecture/Workshops

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment length / details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Essay 1 (2500 words)	50%
Semester Assessment	Essay 2 (2500 words)	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Essay 1 (2500 words) - (to a new title)	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Essay 2 (2500 words) - (to a new title)	50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Critically reflect upon the nature of active interpretation within the field of visual perception.

2. Apply theories of visual perception and visual culture to the reading and analysis of visual texts.

3. Critically evaluate the processes of mediation involved in the visual construction of reality, and articulate their own standpoint about such constructedness.

Aims

This module offers a comprehensive and exciting approach to visual culture, introducing students to new concepts, theories and methods for 'decoding' texts and images, whilst posing critical questions about the nature of sense-making and the constructedness of media content. It forms an integral component of Part 2 study within the Scheme, located in the 'communication' strand of the overall framework.

Brief description

Content

Module Skills

Skills Type	Skills details
Application of Number	* Students will be given the opportunity to reflect upon basic statistical data (primarily presented in percentages), through encountering key research studies in the field.
Communication	* Students' written communication skills will be developed (e.g. appropriate language and style, accuracy, precision and ability to be concise). * Opportunities will be given, through interactive lecture-workshop sessions, for students to develop confidence in using their speaking and listening skills when communicating their ideas.
Improving own Learning and Performance	* Students will be able to develop their skills of information location and retrieval. * Students will be given opportunities to develop effective note-taking skills. * Students will develop their critical thinking skills. * Through group and whole class discussion students will be given opportunities to develop an awareness of the opinions of others and reconsider initial ideas if necessary.
Information Technology	* Students will be given the opportunity to develop their authorial and note-taking skills when planning and preparing for the written assignments, and will be encouraged to develop their note-taking skills in lectures. * Students will be given opportunities to develop their skills using electronic search and retrieval of sources both on the web and on the AU LIS. * Students will develop their skills when referencing from the web and related sources, and will focus on the selection of materials appropriate to task. * E-mail and Blackboard will be the main forms of communication and information-sharing in this module, so students will be encouraged to actively engage in these processes.
Personal Development and Career planning	* Students will be given the opportunity to evaluate current knowledge and skills and set targets for self-improvement, * Students will be encouraged to take increasing responsibility for managing their own learning. * Students will be encouraged to build upon the knowledge gained from lectures through developing skills in self study (supported by the general and specific reading lists and other resources distributed throughout the module).
Problem solving	* Students should be able to identify tensions and debates in the field, and will be encouraged to critically reflect. * Students should gain experience in applying different approaches and materials to understand data and other patterns in research.
Research skills	* Students will be able to develop their skills of information location and retrieval. * Students will be given opportunities to develop effective note-taking skills. * Students will be encouraged to evaluate, interpret and reflect upon a variety of sources, and to make links to accommodate new ideas.
Subject Specific Skills
Team work	* Most sessions will involve group work where students will be able to collaborate through discussion.

Reading List

Recommended Text
Chandler, Daniel (2007) Semiotics: The Basics Routledge Primo search Coren, Stanley, Lawrence M. Ward & James T. Enns (2003) Sensation and Perception Harcourt Brace Primo search Gombrich, Ernst H. (1977) Art and Illusion: A Study in the Psychology of Pictorial Representation Phaidon Primo search Gombrich, Ernst H. (1982) The Image and the Eye: Further Studies in the Psychology of Pictorial Representation Phaidon Primo search Gregory, Richard L. (1990) Eye and Brain: The Psychology of Seeing Oxford University Press Primo search Hoffman, Donald D. (1998) Visual Intelligence: How We Create What We See W W Norton Primo search Kress, Gunther & Theo van Leeuwen (2006) Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Design Routledge Primo search Lester, Paul Martin (2002) Visual Communication: Images with Messages Wadsworth Primo search Messaris, Paul (1994) Visual Literacy: Image, Mind & Reality Westview Press Primo search Nichols, Bill (1981) Ideology and the Image Indiana University Press Primo search Worth, Sol & Larry P. Gross (1981) Studying Visual Communication University of Pennsylvania Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5