This paper is a report on a decade of teaching visual literacy at the American University (Washington, D.C.). Visual literacy is defined as an awareness that comes with appropriate development of basic visual and aural competencies. The 15 reasons for studying visual literacy are perception, drawing, expression, brain awareness, design elements, analysis/appreciation, museums, cartoons, graphics, photography, phototherapy, image manipulation, film video, documentaries and reality, and advertisements. (JLB)