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 - $518.92 See individual course offerings below for actual costs.
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
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
Spring/Summer 2026
Below is one offering of BCST 5010 for the Spring/Summer 2026 term.
CRN 66025
Dates
May 06 - Aug 05 Loading
- CRN 66025
- $508.25 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 06 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Burnaby SE06 Rm. 209 |
| May 13 - May 20 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
| May 27 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Burnaby SE06 Rm. 209 |
| Jun 03 - Jun 10 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
| Jun 17 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Burnaby SE06 Rm. 209 |
| Jun 24 - Jul 01 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
| Jul 08 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Burnaby SE06 Rm. 209 |
| Jul 15 - Jul 22 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
| Jul 29 - Aug 05 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:15 | Burnaby SE06 Rm. 209 |
Duration
14 weeks
Instructor
Mark Nakamura
Course outline
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.
- 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 as this is not a self-paced course. The in person classes will be held at the Burnaby Campus on dates noted on the course webpage. Solid written and spoken English language skills are required for success in this course. If seats remain, registration is permitted without approval up to May 19th, by calling 604-434-1610.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Fall 2026
Below is one offering of BCST 5010 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 51061
Dates
Sep 15 - Dec 15 Loading
- CRN 51061
- $518.92 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 15 | Tue | 18:00 - 21:15 | Burnaby SE12 Rm. 302 |
| Sep 22 - Sep 29 | Tue | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
| Oct 06 | Tue | 18:00 - 21:15 | Burnaby SE12 Rm. 302 |
| Oct 13 - Oct 20 | Tue | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
| Oct 27 | Tue | 18:00 - 21:15 | Burnaby SE12 Rm. 302 |
| Nov 03 - Nov 10 | Tue | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
| Nov 17 | Tue | 18:00 - 21:15 | Burnaby SE12 Rm. 302 |
| Nov 24 - Dec 01 | Tue | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
| Dec 08 - Dec 15 | Tue | 18:00 - 21:15 | Burnaby SE12 Rm. 302 |
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.
- This course is hybrid delivery - both synchronous online and in person, requiring you to participate in and attend online and in person classes on dates noted above. Prospective students should have solid written and spoken English language skills to be successful in this course. If seats remain, registration is permitted after the course start date up to Sep 28th by calling 604-434-1610.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.