JCU Logo
JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "DJRN 199"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Photojournalism: On Location in Rome"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2017
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Rocco Rorandelli
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: T 9:00AM 11:45AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a course in basic photojournalism on location. There will be both classroom sessions and classes off campus, held on location in Rome and the surrounding area, as well as visits to photographic exhibitions. Students will gain an understanding of the basic concepts of photography and photojournalism; how cameras and lenses work; image composition; lighting conditions and techniques; shooting on location; techniques for working as a photographer; editing and producing photographs; and building a portfolio of images. Class sessions will cover learning use of a camera, lights, composition, color, documentary and candid photographic techniques, photographic software such as Adobe Photoshop, and critiques. Classes on location include practical fieldwork.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This is a course in basic photojournalism on location. There will be both classroom sessions and classes off campus, held on location in Rome and the surrounding area. The classes on location include practical fieldwork where students will apply what they have learned in the classroom, shooting individually and as a group on specific assignments and topics aimed at understanding the work of a photojournalist. The classroom sessions will include lectures on history of photography, composition and design, ethics and photojournalism in the digital age.

Taking photographs, and improving your picture-taking skills, are an integral part of this course. This means you'll need a camera. A 35mm DSLR camera would be ideal, a smaller point-and-shoot is accepetd. You need to bring the camera to EVERY class.

Photojournalism is done by exploring places, often by oneself. You have to be willing to walk and be on your own. You also have to be willing to improvise and change course at a moments notice. The news business requires flexibility and I require that of you as well.

You will also be assigned to cover a JCU event for The Matthew newspaper.

A final group exhibition will be hosted in JCU premises.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Telling news stories with photographs and appropriate captions;

2. Understand the basics of a DSLR camera

3. Increase sensitivity to ethics of making visual images;

4. Develop creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills;

5. Produce a final photostory that includes multiple images.  
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Photojournalism 1855 to the present: editor's choiceReuel GoldenAbbeville Press Publishers0-7892-0896-2     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Final Project 15 percent
Attendance/Class Participation 20 percent
Research Paper 15 percent
Photographic Assignments 40 percent
Final Exam 10 percent

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until May 5th, 2017.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Week 1
Course introduction and screening of the Instructor's works. Documenting reality: a matter of personal involvement. The nuances of today's photojournalism.

Week 2
Getting to know the camera. Taking photographs. File formats. Abode Bridge: downloading, arranging, captioning files. Adobe Camera RAW. Adobe Photoshop: postproduction in photojouralism. Field work.

Week 3
Observing reality: field work. Photo criticism/interpretation. Exposure and white balance.

Week 4
Hard news photography vs documentary photography. The use of photography in newspapers and magazines. Editing a story: exercise.

Week 5
Ethics. Research Paper Assignment.

Week 6
The use of light. Field work.

Week 7
History of photojournalism Part 1. What lenses to use.

Week 8
History of photojournalism Part 2. Composition.

Week 9
Street photograhy – the DNA of a city: field work. Photo revision.

Week 10
How to write a project proposal. Identifying a subject for a story: exercise. Field work. Photo revision.

Week 11
Nature and urban photography. Field work.

Week 12
Portrait and self portrait. Artificial lightning. Field work.

Week 13
Documentary: “War photographer” and/or Visit to photography museum.

Week 14
Multimedia and the future of photojournalism. How to organize a portfolio, how to display photographs. Final critique. Review for final exam.

Week 15
Setting up for the exhibition. Presenting your work.