Course Title: Communication Design History and Theory C

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Communication Design History and Theory C

Credit Points: 12

Course Coordinator: Chris Hewson or Reinar Rivera

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 39925 5354

Course Coordinator Email:chris.hewson@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: RMIT Bldg 88.6

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

GRAP2200

Course Description

This course is concerned with the development of a communication designer’s mind-set as they recognise their task and purpose in the communication arena. Discussions will centre on thought and process and the value of examining one’s design practice. It traces a wide range of social and cultural influence and will link these issues to design discourse and the many aspects of the very human endeavour that is communication.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes:
Contextualise the notion of communication design within the wider framework of historical, political and importantly cultural shifts.
Critically analyse texts (verbal, written, visual, etc.)
Discover and expand on analytical and lateral thinking techniques.
Develop research skills.
Develop presentation skills.
Develop group work skills.
Develop the meaning-maker outlook.

A primary focus of this course is making the student aware of their role as a meaning-maker; that is a person who, because of their place/role/tasks, in the communication field invariably adds/creates meaning. Students will be taught to examine their position in this communcation mix and to understand the impact of what convictions, predesposition and decisions have in communicating a message and ultimately the audience’s perception of the world. There will be an emphasis on research and an expectation on students to develop their reasoning and decision making skills.

Overview of Learning Activities

Students will learn through a series of lectures and tutorials and will be given instruction in research techniques, and how to reference your research. Classes will involve working individually and in groups to develop your group negotiating skills, personal confidence and recognise the effectiveness of group learning. We shall explore a number of texts, recordings and film. As part of the course you will develop a theory journal, and will construct a response to demonstrate your learning. Assessment will be progressive.

Overview of Learning Resources

A series of readings and recordings will be made available. These  will provide the foundation of theory tutorial discussions.

Overview of Assessment

Course Guide Texts

E. Performance indicators and Assessment

In participating with your program you are expected to be actively developing independent learning and self-management skills.

The program has been structured to give student-designers opportunities to practice and demonstrate these attributes.

The successful achievement of these outcomes will be rewarded in the assessment process.

Framework

The Design Studio model will act as the framework for the transition towards professional engagement in the development of creative projects.

Essential attributes of a design studio experience are the ability to:

work collaboratively and pro-actively with studio partners.
devise an appropriate attendance and time management structure taking into account the requirements of all involved.
substantiate all contributions to the studio output.
put forward ideas and negotiate them through to final output.
perform in a professional manner.
consult in a timely and open way, where staff response and guidance is valued.
 
Under this professionally oriented system, it is required that student-designers:

keep accurate and objective notes of all consultations with lecturers/tutors, peer reviews and group critique reviews.
articulate your own responses to these comments and demonstrate a progressive attempt to deal with the issues raised.
request ‘sign-off’ of any major benchmark periods before progressing on the project.
identify and substantiate research, outside activities and self-directed study that leads to the successful completion of project work.
 
Students will be assessed on their performance both in class and out of class time. Students’ project submission work will be assessed under the three categories: Think, Form and Performance.

The category of THINK 

* Research - visual, verbal & written, social

- appropriate sourcing of material/information  

* Idea Generation / Strategy 

* Reflection
 

The category of FORM 

* Crafting - attention to detail

- media management 

* Aesthetic - appropriate expression 

* Presentation - quality of presentation

- effectiveness of presentation
 

The category of PERFORMANCE 

* Independent Self-Management

- initiative

- professional etiquette

- participation 

* Articulation - verbal

- written
 
 

SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS

All work must be completed and submitted for review and assessment at the advertised time and date. All work (including weekly exercises) must have met the individual deadlines that demonstrate clearly that tasks have been answered and requirements satisfied.

END OF SEMESTER SUBMISSION DATE

Any work due for submission in Week 14 must be place in designated studios at the designated spaces by 9.30am on Monday 4th June 2007.

FAILURE TO MEET DEADLINE

Students who do not submit work on the date and time stated on a project brief will receive a lower grade value under the assessment category of PERFORMANCE.

ASSESSMENT GRADING

Satisfactory performance in each category of assessment is required. Results will be awarded according to the standard RMIT University grading system. Work submitted for assessment should be the original work of the student and should not have been submitted for assessment in any other Program at RMIT University or elsewhere.

High Distinction  HD 80-100

Distinction  DI 70-79

Credit    CR 60-69
Pass   PA  50-59

Fail   NN 0-49

Did not submit  DNS 0 Fail

F. Academic Administration Procedures

LATE WORK; Late work is to be handed to lecturers directly. Students who are submitting late work are required to fill in a cover sheet for Submission form, which will be available at the program office.

Students are required to fill in the form completely, ensure it is date stamped and initialled by the lecturer and securely attached to the work to be submitted. Work without this form will not be assessed.

EXTENSION TO DEADLINE/SPECIAL CONSIDERATION: Students can apply for an extension to a briefs deadline IN ADVANCE OF the deadline OR up to 48hr after the due date if illness or a situation beyond your control prevents you attending class to submit the work. Students who wish to apply can obtain an extension/special consideration form from the office. Students will be required to submit medical certificates or other evidence to gain the extension from the lecturer involved. At the time the extension is granted a new date and time will be agreed to between the lecturer and student. Work granted extension must be submitted to the lecturer, with the fully completed coversheet ensure it is date stamped and initialled by the lecturer and securely attached to the work to be submitted.

Marks will not be deducted from work given an extension or special consideration provided it meets the extension deadline.

If a student requires special consideration regarding submission of individual project or folio, this must be applied for in advance of the deadline OR up to 48hrs after the due date if illness or a situation beyond your control prevents you attending to submit a folio to your Semester Co-ordinator. Students will be required to submit medical certificates or other evidence to gain the extension from the student progress committee. At the time the special consideration is granted a new date and time will be agreed to between the Program Manager and or Semester Co-ordinator and student. It will be the responsibility of the student to submit the folio to the Semester Co-ordinator at the agreed time and date.

It is the program policy that if a student fails two units (courses) or more in the one semester or four units (courses) or more over two semesters in one year they will be excluded from the program.

G. Course Evaluation and Feedback

In weeks 11 to 13 course evaluation forms are handed out to students to give feedback on the course. Staff members may also hold class discussions in the final three weeks to gain direct feedback 
on the course.

H. Academic Misconduct

University Plagiarism Statement

Plagiarism: the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data, and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited.

Examples of plagiarism include:

Copying sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from one or more sources, whether published or unpublished, which could include but is not limited to books, journals, reports, theses, websites, conference papers, course notes, etc. without proper citation;
Closely paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs, ideas or themes without proper citation;
Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences;
Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source;
Copying designs or works of art and submitting them as your original work;
Copying a whole or any part of another student’s work; and
Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you.
Enabling Plagiarism: the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work.
 
 
 
 Assessment is based on progressive assessment of assigned briefs over the semester, each brief outcome must demonstrate the knowledge the student, has acquired through the planned learning experience. Students will receive feedback through either a feedback sheet or through participation in-group critiques or reviews during a brief. At completion of each brief students will receive a final assessment of the brief within two weeks.

Each piece of work submitted for assessment must have a fully completed Cover Sheet for Submission attached to it. These will be available in class on the day of submission from the lecturer you are submitting to. The form is a duplicate, the top white copy must be attached to the item being submitted the coloured copy is a record for the student. Failure to complete this form will make the work ineligible for assessment.