- International Fees
International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Course Overview
In a modern world where visual technologies increasingly facilitate communication and social interaction, visual literacy is vital. Much of our experience in looking is grounded in habit rather than analysis. Through cultural theory and concepts, this course explores how meaning is both created and transmitted in the visual world.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
Domestic fees
$508.25 - $620.88 See individual course offerings below for actual costs.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Define "culture" and "visual culture".
- Diagnose the strengths and weaknesses of various communication media.
- Explain how shared understandings of visual culture emerge.
- Discuss the many ways in which various communication media have has impacted our societies society.
- Describe the various visual trends that are occurring around the world today and that have occurred throughout history.
- Create and deliver well researched, critically analytical and polished oral and/or written reports.
- Critically analyze and understand, from multiple perspectives, a variety of visual media.
- Evaluate a variety of cultural and historical artistic expressions.
- Read images as text.
- Analyze how visual media communicates in various ways throughout time.
- Identify, analyze and contextualize various artistic styles and time periods.
- Conduct formal analysis and college-level research.
Effective as of Winter 2025
Related Programs
Visual Communication and Culture (BCST 5010) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Business + Media
- Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Business Administration Full-time/Part-time
- Broadcast and Digital Journalism
Associate Certificate Part-time
- Global Business Studies
Associate Certificate Part-time
- Radio Arts and Entertainment
Associate Certificate Part-time
- Video Production and Editing
Associate Certificate Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2025
Below is one offering of BCST 5010 for the Fall 2025 term.
CRN 51061
Dates
Sep 10 - Dec 10 Loading
- CRN 51061
- $508.25 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Burnaby |
| Sep 17 - Sep 24 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
| Oct 01 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Burnaby |
| Oct 08 - Oct 15 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
| Oct 22 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Burnaby |
| Oct 29 - Nov 05 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
| Nov 12 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Burnaby |
| Nov 19 - Nov 26 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
| Dec 03 - Dec 10 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Burnaby |
Duration
14 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- This course is hybrid delivery – both synchronous online and in person classes. You will be expected to attend online and in person classes during the posted meeting times above, as this is not a self-paced course. The in person classes will be held at the Burnaby Campus on the following DATES: Sep 10, Oct 1, 22, Nov 12, Dec 3, 10. Solid written and spoken English language skills are required for success in this course. If seats remain registration is permitted after the course start date up to Sep 23rd, by calling 604-434-1610, without program approval.
Status
Winter 2026
Below is one offering of BCST 5010 for the Winter 2026 term.
CRN 92534
Dates
Jan 07 - Apr 01 Loading
- CRN 92534
- $620.88 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 07 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:30 | Burnaby SW01 Rm. 4011 |
| Jan 14 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:30 | Online |
| Jan 21 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:30 | Burnaby SW01 Rm. 4011 |
| Jan 28 - Feb 04 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:30 | Online |
| Feb 11 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:30 | Burnaby SW01 Rm. 4011 |
| Feb 18 - Feb 25 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:30 | Online |
| Mar 04 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:30 | Burnaby SW01 Rm. 4011 |
| Mar 11 - Mar 18 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:30 | Online |
| Mar 25 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:30 | Burnaby SW01 Rm. 4011 |
| Apr 01 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:30 | Burnaby SW01 Rm. 4011 |
Duration
13 weeks
Instructor
Mark Nakamura
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- This course is hybrid delivery – both synchronous online and in person classes. You will be expected to attend online and in person classes (in Burnaby Campus SW01 building) during the posted class meeting times on the course webpage as this is not a self-paced course. Solid written and spoken English language skills are required for success in this course. If seats remain, registration is permitted without approval up to Jan 13th, by calling 604-434-1610.
Status
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.