The student will be able to:

1. Analyze visual communication in historical and cultural context.
2. Discuss the relation of visual communication in various societal and cultural settings.
3. Understand the historical principles of visual communication.
4. Discuss issues and ramifications of the use of technology in visual communication.
5. Analyze content and purpose in relation to specific media.
6. Interpret images, symbols, and typography.
7. Understand the influence and impact of informative and persuasive media on culture.
8. Discuss how images and icons of the past are being re-contextualized to form new ideas and cross-cultural identities.

1. Historical survey
   1. Cave painting
   2. The invention of writing
   3. Graphic communication in Ancient Egypt
   4. Printing and printing trades
   5. Visual arts of the Renaissance
   6. Typography in the Industrial Age
   7. Photography as the new communications tool
   8. Lithography and printing
   9. Arts and crafts movement
      1. British
      2. American
   10. Art Nouveau
       1. French/Belgian
       2. Jugenstil
       3. Glasgow Style
       4. Vienna Secession
       5. American
       6. Italian
   11. The influence of modern and contemporary art
       1. Cubism
       2. Futurism
       3. Dada
       4. Expressionism
       5. De Stihl
       6. Contructivism
       7. Bauhaus
       8. Art Deco
       9. Surrealism
       10. Heroic Realism
       11. Abstract Expressionism
       12. Pop Art
       13. Conceptual Art and Fluxes
       14. Feminist Art Movement
       15. Printmaking resurgence
       16. Postmodernism
       17. Electronic Art
   12. Early Modern graphic design
       1. Plakatstil
       2. Wiener Werkstatte
   13. Modern graphic design
       1. Futurism
       2. Constructivism
       3. De Stijl
       4. Bauhaus
       5. New Typography
       6. Art Deco
       7. Heroic Realism
   14. Late Modern graphic design
       1. Swiss International
       2. Corporate identity and visual systems
       3. Polish
       4. Revival and Eclectic
       5. Psychedelic
       6. Japanese Modern
   15. Postmodernism
       1. Counter culture influences
       2. Punk
       3. New Wave
       4. Memphis
   16. Digital
       1. Emigre, Cranbrook, Cal Arts, Fuse
       2. Deconstruction
       3. Rave
       4. Kenetics
2. Societal, cultural, and historical analysis
   1. Relationships between historical periods, cultures, and styles
   2. Developments of traditions and iconography
   3. Relationship of media and message
   4. Relationship between communicator and audience
   5. Communication strategies and social conditions
   6. New media and the global community
   7. Graphic design contributions from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures
3. Visual experience
   1. Perception and response
   2. Images in art and advertising
4. Technology and communication
   1. Impact and influence of digital media
   2. Evolution of digital media on visual communication
   3. How cultures of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds use technology to visually communicate within a global market place
   4. Artificial intelligence (AI) application and software in the world of visual design
5. Media analysis for communication
   1. Interpreting images in advertising
   2. Image appropriation and re-contextualization
6. Understanding imagery
   1. Interpreting images in design
   2. Interpreting images in graphic design
   3. Interpreting symbols and identity systems
7. Media on culture
   1. Information, influence, and propaganda on diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds and within a global market place
   2. Media and experience from diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds
8. Visual communication
   1. Discuss how images and icons of the past are being re-contextualized to form new ideas and cross-cultural identities
   2. Analyze and discuss contributions by individuals from diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds

Not applicable.

Quizzes, tests, or exams
Papers, projects, or field journals
Discussion

Lecture presentations and classroom discussion using the language of graphic design
In-class reading of graphic design texts by the instructor and students followed by instructor-guided interpretation and analysis
Group presentations of major projects followed by in-class discussion and evaluation

Meggs, Phillip, and Alston Purvis. A History of Graphic Design. 2016.

Although this text is older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, it remains a seminal text in this area of study.

1. Example of required reading assignments: readings covering subject matter from assigned textbook
2. Examples of writing outside of class assignments:
   1. Essays based on lecture and reading
   2. Participation in online discussions based on lecture, critical thinking, and reading