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TY2GC-History of graphic communication

Module Provider: Typography
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Level: 5
Terms in which taught: Autumn and Spring
Module Convenor: Mr MJ Andrews
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0

Email: m.j.andrews@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
The module aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of Western European graphic communication from c. 1450 to the end of the twentieth century, in terms of the processes, tools and machinery, resultant artefacts, key practitioners and practical treatises. Particular focus will be on pictorial images in print, the book, and printed ephemera. The module builds on the Introduction to the History of Graphic Communication (TY1HG) providing a more in depth study of specialist topics.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module students should be able to:

  • explain the different processes and recognise the distinctive characteristics of each
  • outline the chronology of the principal printing processes and development of machinery
  • account for the interaction between tools and processes, and their effects on the artefacts
  • discuss the impact of key practitioners' treatises on the development of the processes
  • demonstrate the ability to analyze and interpret historical material
  • discuss the social and economic impact of printing

    Additional outcomes:
    Students should develop a further understanding of methods of handling rare materials, together with an ability to record direct observations about printed artefacts. They should also develop skills of oral presentation and information handling.

    Outline content:
    The module will explore themes such as ‘the information explosion’, ‘from craft to technology’, ‘pictures into print’, ‘new processes’ and focuses on specific genres of printing, innovatory practitioners, and key treatises.

    Topics such as the following will be included

  • private presses
  • Impact of photography
  • Colour printing
  • The medieval manuscript
  • Newspapers and periodicals
  • Advertising and packaging
  • Scientific illustration: botanical illustration and Vesalius
  • Development of Penguin Books
  • Thomas Bewick and William Blake
  • Jan Tschichold
  • Dürer and the early woodcut

    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
    A mixture of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars with student oral presentations, and a study visit will be used. Each weekly session consists of a 50 minute lecture followed by a 50 minute seminar. The observation and handling of original artefacts is emphasized and brought into as many sessions as possible.

    Contact hours:

      Autumn Spring Summer
    Lectures 9 8
    Tutorials/seminars
    Practicals      
    Other contact (eg study visits)    
    Total hours 18  20 
    Number of essays or assignments    
    Other (eg major seminar paper) 1 (or Spring term)  1 (or Autumn term)   

    Assessment:
    Coursework
    Typically this will consist of two pieces of work: (1) an essay of approximately 2000 words on a topic related to the lectures, to be submitted by the end of the Spring term and contributing 60% to the overall coursework assessment; (2) a handout of about 1000 words to fit onto two sides of A4 to accompany the oral presentation in either the Autumn or Spring term which contributes 40% to the overall coursework assessment.

    Relative percentage of coursework: 50%

    Examinations
    There will be one 2-hour examination with 3 questions to be answered.

    Requirements for a pass
    An overall mark of 40%

    Reassessment arrangements
    Re-examination in September. Coursework will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed mark of 40% or more, otherwise it must be resubmitted by 1 September.

    Last updated: 7 December 2009

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