TY1HGC-History of Graphic Communication

Module Provider: Typography
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Rob Banham
Email: r.e.banham@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module provides students with an introduction to the history of graphic communication over the past 150 years, and the changing role of the graphic designer during that time. We will study the key design movements of the 20th century and the work of some of its most influential graphic designers and typographers.

Aims:

The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the history of graphic communication and of the continuing influence of designers of the past on the graphic design of today. It introduces important designers and design movements as a way to demonstrate the changing approaches to graphic communication from the 19th century to the present, and the changing role of the designer during that period. Through secondary reading, personal reflection, and a variety of assessment tasks, students will be encouraged to engage in critical debate about the past and future of graphic communication.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• Recognise the main innovators and assess their contributions


• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key texts


• Develop skills in academic research and writing


• Articulate research engagingly via spoken word and accompanying images

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop basic academic skills such as note taking; critical discussion of readings; and essay writing. They will also become familiar with handling rare materials from collections and archives.

Outline content:

Lectures and seminars will cover topics such as: Information design; Photography and graphic design; Modernism; Swiss Typography; Dutch Graphic Design; Postmodern Graphic Design; Jan Tschichold, and Paul Rand.

Global context:

Students will examine the work of a diverse range of designers and design movements from a variety of countries and cultures.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching will be through lectures and seminars. Some seminars will be based on discussion of preparatory reading, others will involve interrogation of collections materials through task-based learning.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Seminars	18	3
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	169
Total hours by term	197	3	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Oral assessment and presentation	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework will typically consist of: an essay of 2,000-2,500 words, submitted in the Autumn Term (50% of the module mark); an oral presentation (50% of the module mark), submitted in the Spring Term. For all assignments, a Department specific (University approved) form of step-marking is employed.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will receive formative feedback on essay drafts.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination in August. Coursework will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed aggregated mark of 40% or more, otherwise it must be resubmitted by a specified date during the August re-examination period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required textbooks: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023