You’ve reached the course website for J464 Informational Graphics, being taught during Fall 2007 at Indiana University’s School of Journalism

Course content
The course combines academic knowledge with practical skills. Major knowledge areas include the history of informational graphics, ethical issues, the various graph formats and the interpretation that each one gives to a data set, plus the principles of cartography. We will survey the kinds of data that are typically charted, and we will analyze examples from the mass media for effectiveness and ethics.We will also review the design fundamentals that are covered in J210, including typography, color and the principles of design. This knowledge will be constantly reinforced as we apply it to produce real-world infographics.
     The course’s major skill is a conceptual one: we will work constantly on developing your ability to analyze a complex story, decide what is important and conceive of the most effective way to convey it visually and verbally.
The course will also help you master the computer skills necessary to produce graphs, maps, timelines and explanatory graphics for print and, animation. However, these skills are not the most important aspect of the course. Think about the computer and its software as a tool for solving problems.
     There are no prerequisites, but students should have a working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator or a high comfort level with graphics applications; that is, the ability to get up to speed quickly in Illustrator.
     Students who have questions about the course — including whether it is right for them — are invited to contact the instructor, Claude Cookman, by phone at 812 855-1717 or by e-mail at ccookman@indiana.edu

Read the full syllabus.