170.028 (21S) NGOs and Visual Communication
Overview
For further information regarding teaching on campus, please visit: https://www.aau.at/en/corona.
- Lecturer
- Course title german NGOs and Visual Communication
- Type Seminar (continuous assessment course )
- Course model Online course
- Hours per Week 2.0
- ECTS credits 6.0
- Registrations 14 (18 max.)
- Organisational unit
- Language of instruction English
- Course begins on 05.03.2021
- eLearning Go to Moodle course
- Seniorstudium Liberale Yes
Time and place
Course Information
Intended learning outcomes
The course aims to develop a deeper understanding of and hands-on skills in visual communication related to NGO work. The course will draw from various theoretical approaches to provide insights into the field of NGOs, while exploring practical examples of how images are used for establishing/modifying public positions and mobilising people for social issues.
Teaching methodology including the use of eLearning tools
This course will be conducted online only. It consists of reading assignments, case studies, short writing assignments, class presentations, and discussions. As part of the course requirements, students are also expected to work in groups to create visual communication projects within imaginary NGO settings and write individual papers (max. 5 pages/25.000 characters) to be submitted at the end of the semester.
Course content
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play an essential role in participation, international governance, and collective action. At the same time, they continuously strive for visibility in public. Using a logo in a specific way, launching a fundraising campaign on social media, organising a public event in a particular location are all part of this contest over visibility. The goal of this course is to investigate the ways in which NGOs use images. Case studies from various fields, including human rights, environment, and humanitarian aid, will help analyse the use of images critically from power relations and ethics perspective. The course has a practice-oriented plan and aims to build participants’ visual skills in branding, campaigning, and advocacy concerning NGO work.
The course consists of eight classes that are divided into three main parts. The first part will be dedicated to situating NGOs within a historical and contemporary agenda regarding politics and social issues and exploring how they use images to establish visual identity and strengthen their brand. In the second part of the course, students will study the usage of images from various cases from the NGO field, including campaigns and advocacy efforts. In the last part, students will work in groups to develop visual communication projects and present them in the class, followed by an individually-written reflection paper.
Literature
Students are expected to read and discuss articles and essays from academic and nonacademic sources, including but limited to the following:
Anheier, H.K. & Toepler, S. (Eds.). (2010). International Encyclopedia of Civil Society (3rd ed.). Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-93996-4
DeLuca, K. M. (2005). Image Politics: The New Rhetoric of Environmental Activism. Routledge.
Lang, S. (2013). NGOs, Civil Society, and the Public Sphere. Cambridge University Press.
Dogra, N. (2012). Representations of Global Poverty: Aid, Development and International NGOs. I.B. Tauris.
Save the Children. (2017). The People in the Pictures. https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/node/12425/pdf/the_people_in_the_pictures.pdf
Additional reading and study material will be provided at the beginning of and during the course.
Examination information
Examination methodology
Final grade will consist of three components:
1) Active participation during the sessions, making a case study analysis and presentation, and an individual follow up paper after the first session (max. 5.000 characters) - 40%
2) Final (group) visual project preparation and presentation - 35%
3) Final (individual) reflection paper on the experience of making the visual project (max. 25.000 characters) - 25%
Grading scheme
Grade / Grade grading schemePosition in the curriculum
- Master's degree programme Applied Cultural Studies
(SKZ: 842, Version: 12W.1)
-
Subject: Theorien und Methoden der Kulturwissenschaft
(Compulsory subject)
-
Module: Kulturwissenschaftliche Perspektiven und Forschungsfelder
-
Kultur als Wertesystem (
2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
- 170.028 NGOs and Visual Communication (2.0h SE / 6.0 ECTS)
-
Kultur als Wertesystem (
2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
-
Module: Kulturwissenschaftliche Perspektiven und Forschungsfelder
-
Subject: Theorien und Methoden der Kulturwissenschaft
(Compulsory subject)
- Master's degree programme Adult Learning and Education and Vocational Education and Training
(SKZ: 847, Version: 20W.1)
-
Subject: Digitalisierung und Alltagskultur
(Compulsory elective)
-
b4.1 LV zu Digitalisierung und Alltagskultur (
0.0h XX / 8.0 ECTS)
- 170.028 NGOs and Visual Communication (2.0h SE / 6.0 ECTS) Absolvierung im 1., 2., 3. Semester empfohlen
-
b4.1 LV zu Digitalisierung und Alltagskultur (
0.0h XX / 8.0 ECTS)
-
Subject: Digitalisierung und Alltagskultur
(Compulsory elective)
- Master's degree programme Social Pedagogy and Social Inclusion
(SKZ: 846, Version: 20W.1)
-
Subject: Digitalisierung und Alltagskultur
(Compulsory elective)
-
b4.1 LV zu Digitalisierung und Alltagskultur (
0.0h XX / 8.0 ECTS)
- 170.028 NGOs and Visual Communication (2.0h SE / 6.0 ECTS) Absolvierung im 1., 2., 3. Semester empfohlen
-
b4.1 LV zu Digitalisierung und Alltagskultur (
0.0h XX / 8.0 ECTS)
-
Subject: Digitalisierung und Alltagskultur
(Compulsory elective)
- Master's degree programme Diversity Education in School and Society
(SKZ: 545, Version: 20W.1)
-
Subject: Digitalisierung und Alltagskultur
(Compulsory elective)
-
b4.1 LV zu Digitalisierung und Alltagskultur (
0.0h XX / 8.0 ECTS)
- 170.028 NGOs and Visual Communication (2.0h SE / 6.0 ECTS) Absolvierung im 1., 2., 3. Semester empfohlen
-
b4.1 LV zu Digitalisierung und Alltagskultur (
0.0h XX / 8.0 ECTS)
-
Subject: Digitalisierung und Alltagskultur
(Compulsory elective)
- Master's degree programme Visual Culture
(SKZ: 655, Version: 18W.2)
-
Subject: Visuelle Kultur im transkulturellen Kontext
(Compulsory elective)
-
5.2 Visuelle Kultur als Ausdruck und Agenten der Transkulturalität (
0.0h VC, SE / 6.0 ECTS)
- 170.028 NGOs and Visual Communication (2.0h SE / 6.0 ECTS)
-
5.2 Visuelle Kultur als Ausdruck und Agenten der Transkulturalität (
0.0h VC, SE / 6.0 ECTS)
-
Subject: Visuelle Kultur im transkulturellen Kontext
(Compulsory elective)