How network shrinks our world, blurring the lines between one another's space. Where privacy is no longer a sacred place, but a privilege.

Assignment 1:

Research Essay Proposal + Seminar Presentation

This module serves as a critical introduction to contemporary theories that are relevant to visual practices in the twenty-first century. Student will gain a better understanding of global processes which have had an impact on graphic design, advertising and allied disciplines. Each week, the lectures will familiarise students with a selection of key thinkers and concepts that provide entry points into design discourse.

Over the course of this semester, students will be working on a research essay in three components (percentages of module grades indicated in brackets):

1. Research Essay Proposal (25%)* + Seminar Presentation (25%)*

2. Research Essay (50%)

* Assignment 1 tackles these two components.

The research essay allows students to explore in greater detail a topic that is relevant to Design and Communication at a global and local scale. Students will learn to offer evidence and substantiate claims and arguments. Students will have to read critically and be able to synthesise multiple readings.

Type of Assessment:

Summative (50% of module grade)

Instructions:

Select one topic from the eight lecture topics that you wish to investigate further.

Consult the reading list – readings are organized around each lecture. You are to use the respective key reading(s) as a starting point for your initial research. Additional readings have been provided to enrich your understanding and guide your research inquiry.

Note: the full reading list will be released before the commencement of the semester.

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There are two deliverables for this assignment:

1. a written component (research essay proposal), and

2. an oral component (seminar presentation).

Your research essay proposal should provide a 600-word summary of your initial findings and contain a preliminary bibliographic listing of literature that you intend to consult for your essay (no word limit).

Your seminar presentation is an oral presentation accompanied primarily by images and/or videos. Your presentation should cover the following:

· Analyse key definitions for interrelated concepts, for example, popular culture and mass culture

· Analyse the origins and utility of concepts relevant to your area of research

Requirements:

This is an individual assignment with two deliverables:

1. Research Essay Proposal:

· Indicate date, full name, student ID, class, and working title on the first page

· Summary with a word count of 600 words in paragraph format (no bullet points).

· Bibliography (no word limit) using MLA referencing standards.

· Printed copy, typeset in 10pts text with double-spacing and double-sided printing.

· Soft copy, in PDF format.

0. Seminar Presentation:

· The presentations will be scheduled over two seminars.

· Each student is given a maximum of 6 minutes.

· Your primary presentation material should be images (still/moving) and/or video(s).

· Keep text brief or none at all.

· Try not to read from your notes.

· Your presentation should cover your argument and research questions.

This assessment will assess the following Module Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

· Identify and analyse the contemporary role of design in different contexts and how design practice is shaped by issues beyond the discipline

· Develop alternative arguments, concepts and approaches and to make informed choices through the analysis of the issues within design communication using an appropriate range of research methods

· Identify a range of communication skills, informed by a critical understanding of design practice and the role of design in different contexts

· Justify and defend research outcomes verbally and in writing

Submission deadline:

Week 6 — Research Essay Proposal

Weeks 9 and 10 — Seminar Presentations 1 and 2