syllabus

= **CLST 307: Visual Culture ** Spring 2010 =

Prof. Paul Miers, Ph.D. LI 301F Office Hours: 11:00 -12:15 TTh 410-704-3638 miers@towson.edu

**Texts and Online Resources**
Gunther Kress and Theo van Leeuwen, //[|Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Design]// Sarah Thorton, //[|Seven Days in the Art World]// Class wiki: clst307.wikispaces.com Class Blackboard site: [|bbweb.towson.edu] -

This course will consider how the growth of online social media has changed our understanding of visual culture and allowed the making of images to become a powerful means of personal expression and social commentary. We will focus in particular on the status of the virtual image and the breakdown of conventional distinctions between professional and amateur image makers as well as the maker and the viewer of an image.

Students will learn to use social media such as blogs, wikis, and photo and video sharing sites to curate new forms of visuality, create their own visual culture installations, and apply current theory to the visual grammar of the new social media.

**Requirements**
Three wiki installations: 60% Three proposals for wiki installations: 25% Weekly blog post to wiki: 15%

**Grades**
Grading is based on the + / - system You may request an extension for any assignment; assignments more than a week late will not be graded. More than three unexcused absence will result in the your course grade being lowered one letter (see excused absence policy below).

B+=3.33 B = 3.00 B- =2.67** ||= **C+=2.33 C = 2.00 D+=1.33 D= 1.00 F = 0.00** || Students may not repeat a course more than once without prior permission of the Academic Standards Committee 
 * = **A**=**4.00;**
 * A-=3.67

** Excused absences **
 It is policy of the university to excuse the absences of students for the following reasons: • illness or injury when the student is unable to attend class • religious observance where the nature of the observance prevents the student from attending class • participation in university activities at the request of university authorities (e.g., Intercollegiate Athletics, Forensics Team, Dance Company, etc.) • compelling verifiable circumstances beyond the control of the student

Students requesting an excused absence must provide documentation to the instructor two weeks prior to the scheduled absence when known in advance or as soon as possible when not known in advance.

Students who will be representing TU at events, conferences, or other official activities should obtain a Notification of Absence from Class Form from the Office of Student Activities,University Union, room 217, to be given to their instructors to verify the excused absence. Students are encouraged to notify faculty of anticipated class absences as soon as they learn they will be missing class.


 * Students should not attend classes or other university events from the onset of flu-like symptoms until at least 24 hours after the fever subsides without the use of fever reducing medications. Such absences will be considered excused absences; however, students are responsible for the material covered during the period of their absence. **

**Plagiarism**

 * see [|Student Academic Integrity Policy]

** Students with disabilities **

 * This course is in compliance with Towson University policies for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with Disability Support Services (DSS) 7720 York Road, Suite 232, 410/704-2638 (Voice or TDD) Students who suspect that they have a disability but do not have documentation are encouraged to contact DSS for advice on how to obtain appropriate evaluation. A memo from DSS authorizing your accommodation is needed before any accommodation can be made