The world today is full of visual images.  Mass media such as television, cinemas, films, magazines, advertisements, internet, billboards, advertisement, books, videocassettes, etc., are all inalienable from visuals. In technical communication, use of visuals is even more important. Few technical documents or presentations could be considered as effective without the help of visual elements.  Naturally, it is important that we learn to use visuals effectively. The goals of English 5313, Visual Rhetoric, are to develop students' visual intelligence and  train their visual literacy so that they are able to properly interpret, critically analyze, and effectively use   visuals both in technical communication and other fields. Specifically, students will learn principles of visual perceptions such as Gestalt theories, the use of rhetorical theories, semiotic theory to interpret, analyze, and create visuals. They will also understand the rhetoric of images and design, as well as visual rhetoric and argument and visual rhetoric of culture.  Topics cover the study of document layouts,  typographic applications, and the interpretation and analysis of images.  On the whole, the course will be interesting and practical.  I hope you will enjoy yourself immensely by taking this course.