GRDSN 109
History of Design

Prerequisites

A minimum Reading Compass score of 80 or Reading Asset score of 40.

Concurrent enrollment

None

Course Description

This course focuses on major design movements as they relate to visual communication. Beginning with the invention of writing and continuing to present day key ideas, social/political/cultural developments and technologies are examined. Through observations and comparisons the course illustrates the relationships between various design disciplines. This course requires reading, research, writing and presentation of exploring visual communications role in society and popular culture.

Required Textbook

History of Graphic Design, Sixth Edition, by Philip B. Meggs and Alston W. Purvis

Activities include but are not limited to:

Lectures, research, videos, and exams. At the completion of this course, students will be able to identify historical influences and apply meaning to various contemporary design disciplines.

Be prepared: Read and study chapters. Participate in class discussions.

Course Overview

• Week One: Chapters 1, 2
• Week Two: Chapters 4, 5
• Week Three: Chapters 6, 7 (Quiz, Friday, April 19, 2019, points TBD)
• Week Four: Chapters 8, 9
• Week Five: Chapter 11, 13
• Week Six: Chapters 14, 15 (Quiz, Friday, May 10, 2019, points TBD)
• Papers assigned
• Week Seven: Chapters 16, 18
• Week Eight: Chapters 19, 20 (Quiz, Friday, May 31, 2019, points TBD)
• Week Nine: Chapters 21, 22
• Paper presentations
• Week Ten: Chapter 23, 24 (Quiz, Monday, June 10, 2019, points TBD)
• Paper presentations

Chapters we will not be able to cover: 3, 10, 12, 17

Attendance Policy

Attendance is critical to your success.

Attendance is equivalent to on the job training. Attendance is crucial to your progress and will be taken at the beginning of every class. The attendance policy is as follows:

More than 10 absences = 0.0
(This equates to missing more than 2 weeks of lecture class time)
Two late attendances (tardies) = one absence

Make-up Policy

Students need to complete any work missed by the next class period, or by instructor arrangement.

Grading / Evaluation Policy

There are 4 quizzes and 1 paper/presentation. Paper/presentation counts as 20% grade. Quiz questions will come from the textbook, videos and the lectures.

4.0 = 91-100%

3.5 = 86-90%

3.0 = 80-85%

2.5 = 76-79%

2.0 = 70-75%

1.5 = 66-69%

1.0 = 60-65%

0.0 = 59% and below

Note: This course syllabus is only for the quarter listed above and the faculty may make appropriate changes. Also, future syllabi for this course may be different.

Other Policies:

Covid-19 Syllabus Statement

Faith and Conscience Absence Policy

Acceptance Syllabus Statement

Campus Safety Syllabus Statement

Diversity Syllabus Statement

Revised 04/02/2021