Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the integration of usability and accessibility in digital storytelling.
• Define and compare using a diversity framework how various forms of visual methods have been used to represent culture and society.
• Evaluate the ways in which content creators have used training videos, films, documentaries, immersive media, and various mediums to shed light on themes of equity, inclusivity, advocacy, community activism, social justice, cultural understanding, community stories, and ethical standards.
• Evaluate and develop project ideas using visual methods in storytelling.
• Develop personal project ideas that address the issues and themes of equity, inclusivity, advocacy, community activism, social justice, cultural understanding, community stories, and ethical standards.

How have changes in technology changed the way we produce visual content? How have visual methods and various mediums been used for social change? How have visual methods, including film, video, print publications, photography, television, and social media played a role in the way we perceive society? How can we address these issues in our own work? These are just a few of the driving questions we will examine throughout the quarter through open discussions and course activities.

Design

• We explore the contributions of visual storytellers and media content creators of diverse racialized, gendered and classed demographics.
• We will learn about ethical standards and practices  in the use of visual methods.
• Every week, we will meet for lectures and open discussion. 
• Outside of class students will explore the use of visual methods in storytelling and watch films and television shows with a critical eye on the role of gender, cultural context, race, and economic class.

Activities: 

• Analysis Worksheets will be used to respond to themes, issues and concepts addressed in visual stories, immersive technologies and various mediums based on the lessons learned and analytical discussions in class.
• Prepare a project proposal  that includes concepts and themes that you want to address in a visual story based on the topics we’ve discussed in class.
• Create a pitch from your project proposal.
• Develop a treatment that is connected to your project proposal and  pitch. The project project proposal, pitch and treatment will follow you into MM259 in  terms 2 and MM134 in term  3 for you to further develop and produce your content.
• Plan and prepare a visual presentation that informs the class about the issue or theme you chose.

Assessment will be based upon a combination of in-class work, open discussions, research projects, examinations, and skills demonstrated in assigned projects. Determination of problem-solving skills, and communication skills may also be included.

• Themes and Concepts:
  • Equity, Inclusivity, Advocacy, Community Activism focused on social justice, cultural understanding, community stories and ethical standards
• Skills:
  • Critical and reflexive thinking
  • Research, Writing and Analysis