Essential Characteristics
Visual literacy is about the interpretation of visual media, its role in society, and how visual images can be used to convey messages and meaning. Visual literacy courses are primarily about analyzing or producing visual media and their roles in the presentation of ideas and/or concepts. Courses in visual literacy will include cultural, historical, and social contexts as they relate to visual artifacts. The course should promote an understanding of visual media as a means of understanding the world.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Such a course should enable students to:
- Critically analyze or produce visual media and their roles in the presentation of ideas and/or concepts (such as photographs, sculpture, video, film, new media, presentations, or papers)
- Identify cultural, historical, and social contexts pertinent to the visual artifact
- Identify or use appropriate visual literacy vocabulary/terminology as it relates to course media
(Committee approved: 2/2021)