city university of hong kong course syllabus offered by department … · course syllabus offered...

Course Syllabus Jun 2017

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City University of Hong Kong

Course Syllabus

offered by Department of Material Science and Engineering with effect from Semester B 2017/18

Part I Course Overview

Course Title: Seeing is believing, or is it?

Course Code: GE1338

Course Duration: One semester

Credit Units: 3

Level: A1, B1

Proposed Area: (for GE courses only)

Arts and Humanities

Study of Societies, Social and Business Organisations

Science and Technology

Medium of Instruction: English

Medium of Assessment: English

Prerequisites: (Course Code and Title)

generally none

Precursors: (Course Code and Title)

generally none

Equivalent Courses: (Course Code and Title)

generally none

Exclusive Courses: (Course Code and Title)

generally none


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Part II Course Details 1. Abstract

The student will discover some amazing science about image formation and how humans see and interpret the world surrounding them. The course first addresses the nature of light and image formation which is followed by an exploration on innovative ways used by scientists to visualize our universe based on other forms of energy – may it be the sonogram of an unborn baby or the energetic dead of distant supernovas. Human vision, however, is more than a pair of sensors -our eyes- and the basic features of image formation and interpretation will be discussed naturally leading to magic, art and special effects which are topics expected to become powerful motivators for student innovation. The course continues with a practical example of multidisciplinary approach between creative media and mathematics to unveil multiple dimension spaces, the use of alternative perspectives, and the relationships between mathematics, symmetry, and art. In the third focus of the course the student will explore the social, cultural and legal impact of images which are, and for all human history have been, excellent tools for mass communication. The student is thus expected to discover ways in which images shape his/her life and to provide innovative assessments on how to use, or modify, the way we see our world.

2. Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) (CILOs state what the student is expected to be able to do at the end of the course according to a given

standard of performance.)

No. CILOs# Weighting* (if applicable)

Discovery-enriched curriculum related learning outcomes (please tick where appropriate)

A1 A2 A3 1. Describe and explain the physical principles involved in

image formation and scientific visualization

2. Identify the principal processes necessary for visual stimulus formation, perception, and interpretation.

3. Critically discuss the uses of visual media for human kind and the settlement of inconsistent human rights and social standards

4. Discover ways in which images shape our life and provide innovative assessments on how to use, or modify, the way we see/explore our world in the scientific, social and legal contexts

* If weighting is assigned to CILOs, they should add up to 100%. 100% # Please specify the alignment of CILOs to the Gateway Education Programme Intended Learning outcomes (PILOs) in Section A of Annex. A1: Attitude

Develop an attitude of discovery/innovation/creativity, as demonstrated by students possessing a strong sense of curiosity, asking questions actively, challenging assumptions or engaging in inquiry together with teachers.

A2: Ability Develop the ability/skill needed to discover/innovate/create, as demonstrated by students possessing critical thinking skills to assess ideas, acquiring research skills, synthesizing knowledge across disciplines or applying academic knowledge to self-life problems.

A3: AccomplishmentsDemonstrate accomplishment of discovery/innovation/creativity through producing /constructing creative works/new artefacts, effective solutions to real-life problems or new processes.


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3. Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs)

(TLAs designed to facilitate students’ achievement of the CILOs.)

TLA Brief Description CILO No. Hours/week (if applicable) 1 2 3 4

Lectures Explain key concepts and theories.

2

Tutorials Provide additional explanations and examples. Provide guidance for the project.

1

Project Practice the ability to engage in long term self-directed learning, demonstrate and communicate the results of critical thinking, and team work.

3 hrs/week for 3 weeks

4. Assessment Tasks/Activities (ATs)

(ATs are designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs.)

Assessment Tasks/Activities CILO No. Weighting* Remarks 1 2 3 4

Continuous Assessment: _100___% Quizzes √ √ 30% Demonstrate scientific

knowledge related to seeing: scientific and general understanding of image formation, scientific visualization, perception and interpretation.

Report assignment and debate √ √ 20% Assess critical reading and informed appreciation for scientific, legal, cultural aspects of images and its uses

Project++ √ √ √ √ 50% Demonstrate capacity for (1) self-directed learning, (2) produce structured and fluent text, and (3) presentation skills in public

Examination: 0% * The weightings should add up to 100%. 100%

++ Note: not all the CILOs might necessarily be covered by any one student’s project.


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5. Assessment Rubrics

(Grading of student achievements is based on student performance in assessment tasks/activities with the following rubrics.)

Assessment Task Criterion Excellent (A+, A, A-)

Good (B+, B, B-)

Fair (C+, C, C-)

Marginal (D)

Failure (F)

1. Quizzes The student can thoroughly identify and explain main theories and ideas associated to the science, legal aspects, art and culture of seeing.

High Significant Moderate Basic Not reaching marginal level

2. Report assignment and debate

Ability to sustain an informed discussion, demonstrate critical thinking skills to argue and defending own ideas and position.

High Significant Moderate Basic Not even reaching

marginal levels

3. Project Capacity for self-directed learning and ability to explain key findings, theories, and concepts related to the subject of study.

High Significant Moderate Basic Not even reaching

marginal levels

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Part III Other Information (more details can be provided separately in the teaching plan) 1. Keyword Syllabus

Properties of light, principles of image formation, optical instrumentation, imaging in science.

Optical illusions, visual perception and visual effects

Seeing or perceiving? Art and magic

Seeing multidimensional spaces: projection and alternative perspectives.

Use, abuse and defense of images - issues of freedom of expression, unregulated advertisement, image in

religion-, cultural- and national identities.

The selling power of images, branding, advertisement.

2. Reading List 2.1 Compulsory Readings

(Compulsory readings can include books, book chapters, or journal/magazine articles. There are also collections of e-books, e-journals available from the CityU Library.)

1. Hoffman, Donald D., “Visual intelligence : how we create what we see” New York : W.W.

Norton, c1998. 2.2 Additional Readings

(Additional references for students to learn to expand their knowledge about the subject.)

1. Graham Saxby. “The science of imaging: an introduction” Bristol ; Philadelphia : Institute of Physics Pub., c2002.

2. Zenon W Pylyshyn “Seeing and visualizing: it's not what you think”, Cambridge, Mass. MIT Press, c2003

3. Michael F. Land and Dan-Eric Nilsson, “Animal eyes” Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2012. 2nd ed.

4. Edwin Abbott, “Flatland: a romance of many dimensions” Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.

5. Felipe Cucker, “Manifold mirrors : the crossing paths of the arts and mathematics” Cambridge University Press, 2013.

6. George . C Christie. “Philosopher Kings? The Adjudication of Conflicting Human Rights and Social Values” Oxford University Press 2011

7 Rhona K. M Smith, “Textbook on International Human Rights” Oxford University Press 2010

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A. Please specify the Gateway Education Programme Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs) that the course is aligned to and relate them to the CILOs stated in Part II, Section 2 of this form:

GE PILO Please indicate which CILO(s) is/are related to this PILO, if any

(can be more than one CILOs in each PILO) PILO 1: Demonstrate the capacity for

self-directed learning Seeing is an integral part of life and can thus be a powerful motivator for self-directed learning. CILOs 1-4 encourage the student to explores diverse aspects of seeing and provide flexible grounds for the student to demonstrate self-directed learning

PILO 2: Explain the basic methodologies and techniques of inquiry of the arts and humanities, social sciences, business, and science and technology

The methodologies of science and will be required for CILOs 1 & 2. For CILO 3-4 legal critical analysis will be used as means of inquiry

PILO 3: Demonstrate critical thinking

skills

Critical thinking will be encouraged by CILO 4 to understand the powerful use of images in society as cultural and religious rights, in advertisement, mass communication etc..

PILO 4: Interpret information and

numerical data

The importance of data interpretation will be emphasized with respect to visual and imaging information throughout the course CILOs 1 – 4

PILO 5: Produce structured, well-organised and fluent text

PILO 6: Demonstrate effective oral communication skills

PILO 7: Demonstrate an ability to work effectively in a team

Course activities will be set by teams to reinforce content. A final team-based mini-project will be used to assess the students ability to integrate the course content

PILO 8: Recognise important characteristics of their own culture(s) and at least one other culture, and their impact on global issues

The use of images and its use to build national-, cultural-, religious- identities will be the subject of CILO 4

PILO 9: Value ethical and socially responsible actions

Related to CILOs 3-4 will allow students to demonstrate the progressive thinking by understanding diversity of cultures and religions and the controversies surrounding them in terms of imaging/stereotyping

PILO 10: Demonstrate the attitude and/or ability to accomplish discovery and/or innovation

CILO 4 encourages the student to discover the multiple ways in which images shape our perception of the world and to provide innovative assessments on how to use, or modify, the way we see/explore our world

GE course leaders should cover the mandatory PILOs for the GE area (Area 1: Arts and Humanities; Area 2: Study of Societies, Social and Business Organisations; Area 3: Science and Technology) for which they have classified their course; for quality assurance purposes, they are advised to carefully consider if it is beneficial to claim any coverage of additional PILOs. General advice would be to restrict PILOs to only the essential ones. (Please refer to the curricular mapping of GE programme: http://www.cityu.edu.hk/edge/ge/faculty/curricular_mapping.htm.)

B. Please select an assessment task for collecting evidence of student achievement for quality assurance purposes. Please retain at least one sample of student achievement across a period of three years.

Annex (for GE courses only)

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Selected Assessment Task

Project (individual report) - Related CILO(s): 1, 2, 3, 4

Related GE PILO(s): 1, 2, 3, 9, 10

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