{"id":11,"date":"2010-08-27T17:09:12","date_gmt":"2010-08-27T17:09:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visualstory.etc.cmu.edu\/?page_id=11"},"modified":"2021-08-31T11:58:05","modified_gmt":"2021-08-31T15:58:05","slug":"syllabus","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/visualstory.etc.cmu.edu\/?page_id=11","title":{"rendered":"Syllabus"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fall2021 Visual Story Syllabus<\/a><\/h3>\n

Visual Story (53-608) Syllabus<\/span><\/h1>\n

We live in a world of images.\u00a0 In books, museums, theater, television, movies, video games or the internet, more than half our brains are dedicated to the processing of visual input. Visual storytelling has become one of the most effective ways of finding order among chaos.\u00a0 It gives us the tools to process, to look, to understand and to influence those around us.<\/span><\/p>\n

This Visual Story class is learning how to identify and control the basic building blocks of visual storytelling for more effective communication.\u00a0 The basic building blocks of visual storytelling are space, line, shape, tone, color, movement, and rhythm.\u00a0 They are found in every still or time-based image we see.\u00a0 Used effectively, they can communicate mood, emotions, ideas and give visual structure to your images.\u00a0 Through lectures, hands-on projects and critiques this class will discuss and analyze these basic visual components in relation to video games, movies, television and computer screens.<\/span><\/p>\n

Process<\/b><\/p>\n

Students will complete individual assignments to explore and practice principles covered in class. After the introductory portion of the class, students will also work in teams to write, produce, and edit certain visual story assignments. Each assignment is designed to actualize key components in the creative and production process. The selected teams will remain constant throughout the term once appointed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Primary Course Objectives<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Understand<\/b> the basic visual story components and how they are used to tell effective visual stories.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Demonstrate<\/b> how the basic visual story components can be applied to achieve dramatic results.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Apply<\/b> an informed vision of how the dynamics of visual storytelling work across all media such as video games, the web and interactive entertainment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Secondary Course Objectives<\/b><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Analyze:<\/b> How images are constructed.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Meaning:<\/b> How images create meaning.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Impact:<\/b> How images affect us on a personal level.<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Influence:<\/b> How they are applied across different mediums.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Grading and Assessment<\/b><\/p>\n

      Group performance must be translated into individual grades. In order to avoid issues of fairness and equity as well as motivate and discourage the \u2018free-rider\u2019 student the following grading criteria will be used to help in process assessments:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. A teams process will be assessed, not just the final product including an individual\u2019s ability to cooperate, communicate, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n
      2. Students will be asked to assess their own contributions to the team.<\/span><\/li>\n
      3. Individual students will be held accountable as well as group products and processes.<\/span><\/li>\n
      4. Students will be asked to evaluate their group dynamics and the contributions of their teammates. This will be based on effort, participation, cooperativeness, accessibility, communication skills, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Zoom<\/b>
        \n<\/b>
        \n<\/b>In our class, we will be using Zoom for synchronous (same time) sessions. The link will be available <\/span>on the Visual Story website at [<\/span>http:\/\/visualstory.etc.cmu.edu\/<\/span><\/a>]<\/span> and distributed via email.<\/span>
        \n<\/span>
        \n<\/span>Please make sure that your Internet connection and equipment are set up to use Zoom and able to share audio and video during class meetings. (See <\/span>        this page<\/span><\/a> from Computing Resources for information on the technology you are likely to need.) Let us know if there is a gap in your technology set-up [<\/span>jdessler@andrew.cmu.edu<\/b><\/a>] as soon as possible, and we can see about finding solutions. <\/span>
        \n<\/span>
        \n<\/span>Sharing video: In this course, being able to see one another helps to facilitate a better learning environment and promote more engaging discussions. Therefore, our default will be to expect students to have their cameras on during lectures and discussions. However, I also completely understand there may be reasons students would not want to have their cameras on. If you have any concerns about sharing your video, please email an instructor as soon as possible [<\/span>        jdessler@andrew.cmu.edu<\/b><\/a> or <\/b>rv0a@andrew.cmu.edu<\/b><\/a>] and we can discuss possible adjustments. Note: You may use a background image in your video if you wish; just check in advance that this works with your device(s) and internet bandwidth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n