Syllabus

Overview

Students in the Visual Media course will gain skills in visual communication as they learn, analyze and apply principles of design, typography, color, and photography to create various design projects. These skills enhance all types of business, education, church, community, and personal pursuits.

BYU-Idaho Learning Outcomes

BYU-Idaho Learning Outcomes (sometimes referred to as ILOs) (which are listed below) were developed by synthesizing common outcomes from academic programs across the university. The outcomes emphasize core competencies measured in each disciplines across campus and in the BYU-Idaho General Education program.

  1. Disciples of Jesus Christ
  2. Sound Thinkers
  3. Effective Communicators
  4. Skilled Collaborators
    • The intent of each outcome is clarified below:
    • Students become Disciples of Jesus Christ as they believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and strive to follow Him.
    • Students become sound thinkers as they frame and solve problems using creative and critical thinking.
    • Students become effective communicators as they develop and express ideas that are purposeful, organized, and clear.
    • Students become skilled collaborators as they work effectively with others to accomplish a shared vision.

COMM 130 Learning Outcomes

  1. Produce effective visual media for targeted audiences using principles of design, typography, and color.
  2. Implement and document the visual design process: Understand project parameters; explore and create solutions; critique and refine drafts; and produce and present final products.
  3. Demonstrate skills in print productions, file management, layout, vector graphics, image capture, editing and optimization using industry-standard software.
  4. Produce projects with final draft proficiency to demonstrate diverse skills and design expertise.
  5. Become an effective visual communicator to enhance service as disciple leaders for the Savior Jesus Christ in home, business, church, and community settings.

Grading Scheme

Comm 130 uses the following grading scheme.

Hybrid and Online

The campus hybrid and online Visual Media courses are closely synchronized. Students follow the same deadlines, use custom video tutorials and resources, and have access to special tutors (free of cost unless the appointment is missed) who can help with assignments. Course materials are designed to accommodate both modes of delivery. All students create project drafts, find evaluators to critique their work, and reflect on their finished work. Online students meet asynchronously with their instructors, but have the opportunity to meet synchronously in online office hours. Hybrid students meet once a week with an instructor in class and also have opportunities to meet with their instructor during regular office hours.

Required Materials

  • Computer with a webcam and specs to run the Adobe Creative Suite 5 or newer (See www.adobe.com – and search for system requirement)
  • Adobe CS 5, 6, or the CC subscription (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)
  • Microsoft Word – Free Microsoft Office download for BYU-Idaho students
  • The Non-Designer’s Design Book (4th Edition) – ISBN-13: 978-0133966152

NOTICE: You can buy the eBook or physical book of the Non-Designer’s Design Book, but either should be the 4th Edition. The course materials are available in the Course Material List.

Projects

Each project is designed with a real-life situation. Students will review and comment on classmates’ work throughout the semester. Students will gather critique, then refine their projects for final submission.

Deadlines/No Late Work

There are two main deadlines, Wednesday and Saturday at 11:59PM MST. In accordance with Communication Department policy, late work will not be accepted. This policy aims to prepare students to meet deadlines in their careers. Remember that projects are not complete until they are delivered before deadline in the manner requested by the client, which in this case, is the instructor.

Attendance (On-campus students)

Attendance is vital. Students who miss class must obtain the missed information from another student. Since we only meet once a week, the course grade will be dropped a full letter if a student accumulates two or more unexcused absences (coming late or leaving early will be recorded as a half absence.) three or more absences may result in course failure.

BYU-Idaho Appropriate

Examples, messages, imagery, and any other content created or used for classwork should be “BYU-Idaho Appropriate.” This means projects and assignments must all meet the high standards of BYU-Idaho and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. A good gauge of “BYU-Idaho Appropriate” would be the LDS  For The Strength of Youth guidelines. Submitting assignments that contain content that is not “BYU-Idaho” appropriate can result in failure of the assignment and being reported to the Student Honor Office. Repeat offenses could result in failure of the course.
Examples of things that would not be “BYU-Idaho Appropriate”
  • Images with people wearing revealing clothing.
  • Images or messages alluding to or revolving around sex or violence.

We all come from different backgrounds, varying tolerances, and views of standards. Please err on the side of caution in this class. Reach out to your instructor if you are unsure if your work would be termed “BYU-Idaho Appropriate.” Please also be open and respectful of your instructor’s views on this subject.

Mulligan

To help compensate for computer, personal or unforeseeable situations, students are allowed a mulligan, which allows assignments to be submitted 48 hours after the original due date without losing points. This mulligan may be used to extend the submission deadline for most activities. The mulligan cannot be used to extend the final presentation. This mulligan can only be used once.
See the Mulligan assignment in I-Learn for more details on possible and proper usage.

Courtesy Policy

Students are expected to follow the Courtesy Policy, used in all Visual Communication courses. Courteous and professional interaction about coursework and grades is expected and rewarded. Instructors may award bonus points for the following:

  • Professional, prompt and positive communication
  • Courteous participation and helpful interactions
  • Prompt, consistent participation
  • Respect for grading procedures
  • Presenting concerns about grades during office hours with the intent to improve on future assignments.

Preventing Sexual Misconduct

BYU-Idaho prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in its education programs or activities. Prohibited sex discrimination includes incidents of sexual harassment (including sexual violence), dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking (collectively “sexual misconduct”).

One responsibility of instructors is to help create a safe learning environment for students and for the campus as a whole. University policy requires that instructors report all incidents of sexual misconduct that come to their attention. If an instructor or student encounters sexual misconduct, please contact the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@byui.edu or 208-496-9200. Additional information about sexual misconduct and available resources can be found at www.byui.edu/titleixLinks to an external site..

Disability Services

BYU-Idaho does not discriminate against persons with disabilities in providing its educational and administrative services and programs and follows applicable federal and state law. This policy extends to the University’s electronic and information technologies (EIT).

Students with qualifying disabilities should contact the Disability Services Office at disabilityservices@byui.edu or 208-496-9210. Additional information about Disability Services resources can be found at http://www.byui.edu/disabilitiesLinks to an external site..

Academic Honesty

Students are expected to observe the BYU-Idaho Honor Code. All work must be original, and created by the student. Students’ own work from their course work but can only use work created for this course during this semester. Copyright laws will be strictly observed, and violations may result in project or course failure, depending on the seriousness of the violation. For some projects students may use images they find online, but these must be obtained legally, and where required proper attribution must be made.

“When you are honest in every way, you are able to enjoy peace of mind and maintain self-respect. You build strength of character, which allows you to be of service to God and others. You are trustworthy in the eyes of God and those around you. If you are dishonest in your words or actions, you hurt yourself and often hurt others as well. If you lie, steal, cheat, or neglect to give the full amount of work for your pay, you lose your self-respect. You lose the guidance of the Holy Ghost” (“Honesty,” True to the Faith (2004), 84)

Academic Honesty means students do their own work. This also means their instructors will evaluate that work. Students should not be dishonest—this includes all types of work in their courses. The complete Academic Honesty Policy can be found at http://www.byui.edu/student-honor-office/ces-honor-code/academic-honestyLinks to an external site..

Generative AI: This course aims to help you gain skills in visual communication. The best way to learn visual communication is by doing. We gain so much through the act of creation, and the use of AI changes that process. Therefore, work derived from generative artificial intelligence (AI) resources without express permission from instructors is not considered the students’ original work. Simply put, do not use AI for this course. It is considered cheating and can result in failure of the course. Contact your instructor if you have any questions, especially if something is or isn’t AI. 

Academic Grievances

Students are encouraged to contact their instructors regarding course-related concerns. If concerns cannot be resolved in this way, students may contact the BYU-Idaho Support CenterLinks to an external site. to formally register a concern or grievance. The Student Grievance Policy can be found here.