Frauke Hachtmann, associate professor of journalism at the CoJMC, and Dana Fritz, associate professor of art at the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, have received a grant from the University of Nebraska Foundation to support a visual literacy course titled "Japanese Visual Culture in Context." Both have long been associated with UNL's Visual Literacy program.

As part of the planning process, Hachtmann and Fritz completed their first trip to Japan during spring break. In summer 2010, after an introduction to Japanese visual culture, about 30 students will travel to Japan. The purpose of the trip will be to visit advertising agencies, museums, cultural institutions and other opportunities to learn to understand a culture through visual analysis. Visual literacy is the ability to read, interpret and evaluate images for meaning and context. Many consider it to be an essential skill for the 21st century.

Hachtmann and Fritz will submit "Japanese Visual Culture in Context" for certification for two of the 10 learning outcomes under the new Achievement-Centered Education (ACE) program - 2 (communication competence) and 9 (global awareness/human diversity).

The visual literacy program is part of UNL's Initiative for Teaching and Learning Excellence.

Hachtmann and Fritz's blog can be viewed at http://vislitjapan.blogspot.com