Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2017 - CMNS 325 D100

Visualization and Visual Culture in Communication (4)

Class Number: 3519

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    60 units including two CMNS, IAT or FPA upper division courses.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Investigates both theories and techniques of visualization design, visual culture, and visual communication. Themes covered in the course include: theories of visualization in relation to communication studies; methodologies for studying the interplay of technology, culture and media in visual studies and visual communication design; analysis of imaging conventions and innovations in the context of contemporary global communication; and visual communication in diverse cultural contexts. This is a laboratory-based course, requiring the completion of practical assignments that apply the ideas and theories presented in lectures and readings. Students with credit for CMNS 387 offered with subtitle "Visualization" may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

The availability of powerful and relatively inexpensive digital technologies for documenting and analyzing audio-visual phenomena has made visualization design an important component of communications strategies in many areas.  New employment opportunities in areas such as ‘data journalism’, ‘infographics’, and ‘visual analytics’ have emerged as potential career paths for students in the field of communication.  

This course offers students an opportunity to engage with core concepts in theories and methods used in visual communications, and to develop skills in visualization design. Visualization design is not merely a set of techniques for organizing and presenting information. Visualization techniques have the potential to offer insights into phenomena and patterns that we cannot necessarily ‘see’ with the naked eye.  Visual representations are not always neutral presentations of ‘facts’, but have the potential to misinform and misrepresent.  The ability to critically analyze the visual display of information, and to design effective strategies in visual communications, is of fundamental importance for understanding and participating in contemporary society.   

Visual culture and visualization processes thus conceived are powerful ways of knowing and engaging with the world.  This course investigates both theories, and techniques of visualization design.  Themes covered in the course include: theories of visualization in relation to communication studies; methodologies for developing visual communication designs that are appropriate for specific content and contexts; analysis of imaging conventions, and innovative directions in the visual display of quantitative and qualitative information; and factors that need to be considered in the design of visual communication in diverse cultural contexts and in global communication networks.   

 Format:   Class activities include lectures, labs and tutorials.  Lectures focus on theoretical and analytical foundations of visualization design.  Lab and tutorial activities provide opportunities to develop practical applications of core concepts.  Students should plan to attend ALL of the scheduled hours for this course.  Students are expected to participate actively, do the required readings, and come to class prepared.  Additional lab work outside of class hours will be needed in order to complete the assignments.  All students are expected to present their work to the class, and to participate actively in critiques and discussions.

Grading

  • Quizzes 15%
  • Major Assignments: 60%
  • First Visualization Design Project (10%)
  • Second Visualization Design Project (20%)
  • Final Applied Design Project (30%)
  • Lecture, Lab and Tutorial Participation** 25%

NOTES:

A minimum CGPA of 2.25, and approval as a communication student is required for entry into most communication upper division courses.

*Students who began their degrees in Fall 2006 onwards must successfully complete at least 6 (Q) units, lower or upper division.  It is strongly recommended that students take (Q) courses as early as possible, within their first 60 units.  Courses with (Q) designation will assist students to develop quantitative (numeric, geometric) or formal (deductive, probabilistic) reasoning, and to develop skills in practical problem-solving, critical evaluation, or analysis.  Students must achieve a minimum C- grade in (Q) courses.
 
**Lab and tutorial participation grades will take into account preparation, for example, bringing the results of take-home exercises to class, and demonstrating in discussions and Canvas postings that you have done the work assigned and completed reading assignments. Marks will be deducted for absences and late work.  

Note: Attendance at all scheduled class sessions (lectures, labs and tutorials) is mandatory. Marks will be deducted for absences except in the case of valid, documented absences acceptable to the Registrar. (A completed SFU healthcare provider form is required for absences due to healthcare issues.)  Additional lab work outside of class hours will be needed in order to complete the assignments. All students are expected to present their work to the class, and to participate actively in peer review and discussions.     The school expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relation to established university-wide practices with respect to both levels and distribution of grades. In addition, the School will follow Policy S10.01 with respect to Academic Integrity, and Policies S10.02, S10.03 and S10.04 as regards Student Discipline.  [Note: as of May 1, 2009 the previous T10 series of policies covering Intellectual Honesty (T10.02), and Academic Discipline (T10.03) have been replaced with the new S10 series of policies.]  

The school expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relation to established university-wide practices with respect to both levels and distribution of grades. In addition, the School will follow Policy S10.01 with respect to Academic Integrity, and Policies S10.02, S10.03 and S10.04 as regards Student Discipline.  [Note: as of May 1, 2009 the previous T10 series of policies covering Intellectual Honesty (T10.02), and Academic Discipline (T10.03) have been replaced with the new S10 series of policies.]

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Manghani, Sunil, Arthur Piper and Jon Simons (eds.), Images: A Reader.  London:  Sage, 2006.  [Paperback]
ISBN: 9781412900454

Other required readings (and viewing assignments) will be assigned throughout the semester and made available online or through Library Reserves.  Some viewing assignments will involve fieldwork (actually going places to visually examine them).

RECOMMENDED READING:

Baer, Kim, Information Design Workbook: Graphic Approaches, Solutions, and Inspiration [electronic resource]. Beverly, Mass.: Rockport, 2008.  Available online (SFU Library).   Cairo, Alberto, The Functional Art:  An Introduction to Information Graphics and Visualization.  Berkeley: New Riders (Pearson), 2013.  Available online (SFU Library).

Cairo, Alberto, The Functional Art:  An Introduction to Information Graphics and Visualization.  Berkeley: New Riders (Pearson), 2013.  Available online (SFU Library).

Few, Stephen, Now You See It:  Simple Visualization Techniques for Quantitative Analysis. Oakland: Analytics Press, 2009.  

Meirelles, Isabel, Design for Information: An Introduction to the Histories, Theories, and Best Practices Behind Effective Information Visualizations. Beverly, Mass.: Rockport, 2013.  

Munzner, Tamara, Visualization Analysis & Design. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2015.  Available online (SFU Library).

Tufte, Edward, The Visual Display of Quantitative Information.  Cheshire, Conn.: Graphic Press, 2001.

Ware, Colin, Visual Thinking for Design. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2008.  Available online (SFU Library).  

Yau, Nathan,  Visualize This:  The Flowing Data Guide to Design, Visualization and Statistics. Indianapolis: Wiley, 2011.  Available online (SFU Library).

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS