COMMS 309 : Communication, Writing and Design

Arts

2022 Semester One (1223) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines principles and practices of written communication in domains of culture and work. With an emphasis on signs, writing tools and systems, the course considers the relations between text, images and design in persuasive and provocative graphic works. Through project-based assignments, the course develops writing and design skills in common communication contexts, including PR, advertising and content for social media.

Course Overview

COMMS 309 examines the principles of persuasive visual design, writing, and storytelling in film poster design, print advertising, and television advertising. Through project-based and written assignments we consider the relationships between text, images, and design.

Students will develop persuasive writing and design skills - and the writing and directorial skills needed for preparing a 30-second commercial. Further, students will critically analyse two examples of persuasive media; film posters and long copy print ads.

This course has an emphasis on the practical application of persuasive visual design, writing, and storytelling. The course convenor works actively in the advertising and film industries, and will approach this course from an industry perspective; how do you persuade people to buy, or believe in, the product or idea you are selling?

Seminars are example-based and discursive. Guest lecturers from the film and advertising industries will join us for as many as 4 lectures. Please be aware that every assignment in this course has a creative component (writing and design). You are learning the ART and CRAFT of persuasion. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 15 points from COMMS 200-208 and 15 points in BA courses Restriction: COMMS 305

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of persuasive writing and design skills (Capability 1.2)
  2. Apply visual storytelling techniques (Capability 1.2)
  3. Demonstrate practical communication and technical skills designed with an awareness of industry practice. (Capability 2.3)
  4. Have the ability to critically analyse persuasive media; specifically, film posters, long-copy print advertising, and 30 second television commercials. (Capability 2.1)
  5. Have the ability to produce coherent, cohesive and considered arguments regarding concepts, texts and contexts in the field of communication, drawing on evidence to support these arguments (Capability 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 1: FILM POSTER: CREATION AND SELF-REFLEXIVE COMMENTARY. 30% Individual Coursework
Assignment 2: LONG COPY PRINT AD: CREATION AND SELF-REFLEXIVE COMMENTARY. 30% Individual Coursework
Assignment 3: 30 SECOND COMMERCIAL: SCRIPT AND ANIMATIC. 40% Individual Coursework

Next offered

2023

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and 4 hours of work on assignments.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled lectures, including tutorials, to complete the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Tutorials will not be available as recordings for privacy reasons.
The course will not include live online events (unless we are in lockdown, then lectures and tutorials are live Zooms).

The activities for the course are scheduled as a weekly timetable.

This course is available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2022.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 31/10/2021 08:43 p.m.