Course Form
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
Applied Arts and Sciences
Prefix and Course #
Course Title
Introduction to Visual Rhetoric
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
Summarize the change(s) proposed
Visual Rhetoric
We are proposing this course as a general education
course that meets Perspective V, Literary and
Artistic Studies.
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Requestor:
Kimberly Reiser
Phone/ email :
243-7839
Program Chair/Director:
Cathy Corr
Other affected programs
Dean:
Com 140
Date
Lynn Stocking
Are other departments/programs affected by this
Please obtain signature(s) from the
modification because of
Chair/Director of any such department/
(a) required courses incl. prerequisites or corequisites,
program (above) before submission
(b) perceived overlap in content areas
(c) cross-listing of coursework
III: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus into
section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
Common Course Numbering Review (Department Chair Must Initial):
YES
NO
Does an equivalent course exist elsewhere in the MUS? Check all relevant disciplines if
course is interdisciplinary. (http://mus.edu/transfer/CCN/ccn_default.asp)
If YES: Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with existing course(s)? Please indicate
equivalent course/campus. 
PTC 114, Visual Communication, on Montana Tech campus; I am one of the Communication FLOC
members. The current number in our FLOC matrix for this course is COMX 140, which is why I have
proposed 140 for this course. However, the Communication FLOC is not yet finalized and complete.
Therefore, I have also included a syllabus below.
If NO: Course may be unique, but is subject to common course review. Be sure to include learning outcomes
on syllabus or paste below. The course number may be changed at the system level.
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title, credits,
repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.) 
U 140L 3 cr. Offered fall. An introduction to the persuasive nature of visual symbols as texts. Readings will
include historical to contemporary rhetorical criticisms on advertising, billboards, bodies, cartoons,
memorials, and photography.
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
This course provides a useful introduction to rhetorical studies and provides another communication course
offering for our pre-communication students. In addition, we only have two other literature offerings on our
campus, which have a writing prerequisite. This course provides students with an introductory literature
offering. In addition, it is a suitable literature for some of the students in Applied Arts and Science programs
that are affected by the use of visual communication (e.g. Business Technology, Applied Computing and
Electronics, etc.).
Are there curricular adjustments to accommodate teaching this course?
No.
Complete for UG courses. (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment
(http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees/grad_council/procedures/gradIncrement.aspx)
New fees and changes to existing fees are only approved once each biennium by the
Board of Regents. The coordination of fee submission is administered by
Administration and Finance. Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific
conditions according to Policy 940.12.1 http://mus.edu/borpol/bor900/940-12-1.pdf .
Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
IV. To Delete or Change an Existing Course – check X all that apply
Deletion
Title
Course Number Change
From:
Level U, UG, G
To:
Description Change
Change in Credits
From:
To:
Prerequisites
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
YES
NO
X
From:
To:
Repeatability
Cross Listing
(primary
program initiates
form)
Is there a fee associated with the
course?
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
number
4. Is this a course with MUS Common Course Numbering?
http://mus.edu/transfer/CCN/ccn_default.asp
If yes, please explain below whether this change will eliminate the course’s common course
status.
YES NO
5. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to UG. Have you reviewed the graduate
Reference guidelines at:
increment guidelines? Please check (X)
space provided.
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees
/grad_council/procedures/gradIncrement.aspx
(syllabus required in section V)
6. Other programs affected by the change
7. Justification for proposed change
V. Syllabus/Assessment Information
Required for new courses and course change from U to UG. Paste syllabus in field below or attach and send
digital copy with form.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA-MISSOULA
COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
APPLIED ARTS AND SCIENCES DEPARTMENT
FALL 2010 COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: Com 195, Visual Rhetoric
SEMESTER CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: None
INSTRUCTOR NAME: Kimberly Reiser, M.A.
E-MAIL ADDRESS: kim.reiser@umontana.edu
I am most easily reached by e-mail. However, it is also possible for you to leave messages
for me at 243-7839.
OFFICE LOCATION: Main Faculty Office (HB 02) in HB Building
OFFICE HOURS: Monday 11-12, Thursday 12:30-1:30, or By Appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Visual rhetoric is an area of communication studies that focuses on visuals as persuasive
“texts.” Throughout this course, we will examine how visual symbols are interpreted,
focusing on social issues such as power, culture, and gender. Exemplary readings will
include historical to contemporary rhetorical criticisms on advertising, billboards, bodies,
cartoons, memorials, and photography.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Explain how visual symbols work as persuasive texts.
2. Identify rhetorical theories that have been used as a framework to analyze visual
symbols.
3. Develop arguments that critique visual texts from a variety of rhetorical frameworks.
4. Explore the connection between our interpretation of visuals and politics, culture,
and social power.
GRADING:
Exams (2) – 45% of grade
Inquiries – 35% of grade
Quizzes – 20% of grade
GRADING SCALE: 100-90 (A), 89-80 (B), 79-70 (C), 69-60 (D), 59 and Below (F)
Exams
There will be two exams given over the course of the semester. They will be essay in
nature. A week before each exam, students will be given 12-14 essay questions. Seven
of these questions will be on the exam. Each student will choose five of those questions to
answer. Questions will require student to analyze the use of visuals as persuasive texts,
tying in specifics from the reading.
Quizzes
Over the course of the semester, you will be given 10 quizzes. These will be administered
randomly and will cover daily reading. Each quiz will be worth 25 points and your 8 best
quiz scores will count toward your final grade in the class.
Inquiries
Students will be asked to complete three typed reflections during the course of the
semester. These inquiries will vary, but will ask you to either 1)analyze one of our texts
from a political, cultural, or social perspective, or 2)apply a rhetorical framework to a visual
of a the student’s choice.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
It is my belief that what you gain from a course is dependent on what you put into it.
Attendance will determine a student’s level of success. If you miss a class, you will miss a
learning opportunity.
*Students who sleep, leave early/come late, or work on other assignments during
class will not be counted as present.
Test makeup policy: I believe the classroom setting should be treated like any other
professional setting. Employers and coworkers tend to be forgiving of a person’s absence
for an important meeting or engagement if that person has proven to be dependable in the
past. My policy follows this principle.
If the following conditions are met, you may be given an opportunity to make up a test:
1.
You must be in good standing in the class. This means fewer than four absences,
no late assignments and passing grades on all completed assignments.
2.
You must notify me prior to missing the test that you will be unable to attend that
class period, and provide an explanation for your absence. Personal illness, family
emergencies and unexpected events are acceptable reasons for rescheduling a test. You
may be asked for documentation of verification of your excuse.
3.
Within 24 hours of missing the test, you must schedule an appointment with me to
make up your test.
ASSIGNMENTS TURNED IN A CLASS DAY LATE WILL BE GRADED OUT OF HALF
CREDIT. BEYOND THIS DATE, ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
*USE MY MAILBOX AT YOUR OWN RISK. IT IS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE
SURE ASSIGNMENTS PLACE IN MY BOX GET TO ME.
STUDENT CONDUCT:
Please conduct yourself in a way that promotes learning for all students in the classroom
(i.e. do not use language that might offend others, use laptops for note taking only, avoid
disclosing too much personal information, turn off cell phones, absolutely no text
messaging, and avoid monopolizing class discussion).
*COURSE POLICIES ARE APPLIED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE INSTRUCTOR.
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT:
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an
academic penalty by the course instructor and/or disciplinary sanction by the University.
All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is
available for review online at http://www.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/index.cfm/page/1321.
DISABILITY STUDENT SERVICES:
Eligible students with disabilities will receive appropriate accommodations in this course
when requested in a timely way. Please speak with me after class or in my office. Please
be prepared to provide a letter from your DSS Coordinator.
For students planning to request testing accommodations, be sure to bring the DSS testing
form to me in advance of the two-day deadline for scheduling in ASC.
DROP POLICY:
“Beginning the thirty-first day of the semester through the last day of instruction before
scheduled final exams, documented justification is required for dropping courses by
petition. Some examples of documented circumstances that may merit approval are:
registration errors, accident or illness, family emergency, change in work schedule, no
assessment of performance in class until after the deadline, or other circumstances beyond
the student’s control” (UM Catalogue). Failing is not an acceptable reason to drop the
course.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Olson, Finnegan, Hope. (2008). Visual rhetoric: A reader in communication and American
culture. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
*A Blackboard supplement will be utilized for this course.
VI Department Summary (Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document list course
number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit original, one copy, summary of
proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.
Revised 9-2010