Course Title: Communication Design History and Theory C

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Communication Design History and Theory C

Credit Points: 12

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
GRAP2269	City Campus	Undergraduate	335H Applied Communication	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2009

Course Coordinator: Reinar Rivera

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 39925 5354

Course Coordinator Email:reinar.rivera@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: RMIT Bldg 88.6.7

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

GRAP2200 Communication Design History & Theory B

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 communication mix and to understand the impact of what convictions, predisposition 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

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.

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. All work must have a cover sheet these can be located at http://www.rmit.edu.au/appliedcommunication/students under the heading of Assignments and Extensions: Assignment cover sheet- coursework degrees. 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.