The courses are taught (Fall 2018 - present) at College of Humanities & Social Sciences (English & Communication Program) at American University of Armenia (accredited by the WASC).
Introduction to Visual Communication
Number of Credits: 3
Duration: 15 weeks (35 lectures + 10 practical session of calligraphy, 10 assignments & a term project. Class duration 50 min).
Number of Credits: 3
Duration: 15 weeks (35 lectures + 10 practical session of calligraphy, 10 assignments & a term project. Class duration 50 min).
Course Description:
The course aims to introduce students to the principles of visual communication and explain the fundamental rules that govern our interaction with information in forms that can be read or seen. It provides students with theoretical and practical skills for dealing with various forms of visual presentation, affording them the ability to relate the concepts of design to the physical world (buildings, art, landscapes, etc.), to the world of ideas (how design influences our thinking and thought processes), and to the world of imagination (how we think of design, and how to apply this creatively). The course will also address such topics as the history of visual communications, development of writing systems, artistic movements, typography, calligraphy and poster design. Students will apply course concepts in written analyses and graphic design projects (analogue). Instructor led discussion.
Myth & Visual Arts
Number of Credits: 3
Duration: 15 weeks (45 lectures, weekly assignments & term project. Class duration 50 min).
Number of Credits: 3
Duration: 15 weeks (45 lectures, weekly assignments & term project. Class duration 50 min).
Course Description:
The timeless power and relevance of myths to inform and influence multiple facets of our lives is undeniable. Myths undertake the core questions of our humanity and our place in the cosmos. Despite Industrialization, Modernity, the Information Age, and all their attendant technologies, myths and the genre of mythology remain ever alive today in reformulated versions: in movies, TV shows, live performances, music and music videos, and in the design and creation of other such cultural and consumer products.
Myth’s source in the oral tradition of storytelling binds it closely to the world of visual arts, as humankind sought to express itself in images before its turn to the written word. In Greek, the term mythos means a story, a metaphor for what lies behind the visible world. But in contradistinction to the oral and written traditions, visual arts have given myths a recognizable face. From antiquity to our present day, mythology’s relationship with images that transcend language has served to make narratives more accessible and more universal. Until the industrial age brought about a complete change to the nature of narrative, great works of art were often inspired by myths.
Fall 2024 Student
Dear Professor,
As this semester comes to an end, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the profound impact you have had on my life, both as an educator and as an inspiration.
It was an honor and a privilege to be your student. Your classes were not just lectures but transformative experiences that taught me a lot. This period was one of the most difficult times of my life, as I was healing from a trauma after a break up, feeling lost and broken. And at each and every end of your class, when you were generally speaking about life, kindness and gratitude, you were healing my soul without even knowing. You always told us that "it's okay to be broken, and it's okay to experience everything." These simple yet very deep words became a lifeline for me. Without even realizing it, you gave me the strength to embrace my pain, to feel it fully, and to start healing.
I may still be on this journey of healing, but I am no longer lost. I carry with me the lessons you taught, not only about mythology, but also about life, resilience, and self-discovery. For this, I will always be grateful.
Thank you for being more than a professor. Thank you for being a guide, a mentor, and a source of motivation. Your impact extends far beyond the classroom, and I hope you know how deeply appreciated you are.
With a huge gratitude,
Y.