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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 105"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Photography"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2020
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: William Pettit
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: M 12:30-3:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course creates a foundation of knowledge of photographic history, theory, and practice, and is recommended as preparation for further study in photography. Students will encounter technical issues concerning both film and digital photography, including basic issues of camera functions and controls, darkroom procedures, and digital techniques and software. The course examines a broad range of subjects such as: the early history of photography, photographic genres, use of artificial and of natural light, and various modes of presentation and archival management. Shooting pictures is balanced with classroom work. The course will help students develop a formal and critical vocabulary, an understanding of the uses of photography, and inspiration for more advanced photo courses.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Subjects covered include: the invention of photography, the many uses of photography, photographic genres (such as landscape, portraiture, street photography, studio photography, etc.), works of master photographers in both commercial, journalistic, and fine arts traditions, picture making with the pinhole apparatus, pictorial dynamics, the photo essay and various modes of presentation, basics of color and archival management, and so on. 

Students will create a portfolio of their own photographs and be able to discuss how their photographs function. 

Materials and equipment

Each student should be equipped with either a traditional 35 mm film camera or a modern digital SLR.  Students will work with both types of cameras but do not need to possess both. 



The course will include a lesson discussing in detail the ethical and legal aspects of photography, including international and especially Italian and American rules about photographing in public, protection of privacy, eventual use of images, copyright, obtaining model releases, safety, and in general the respectful treatment of others in all phases and aspects of photography. Students must agree to respect John Cabot University’s Photography Code of Conduct. 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

·         Ability to engage in a sophisticated way with the artistic and technical potential of the medium, and with the creative opportunities of the medium

·         Ability to structure and present ideas orally and visually, including ability to describe and analyze technical, artistic, and esthetic issues of photography

·         Ability to employ a technical vocabulary appropriate to the field, and to organize large numbers of photographs

·         Familiarity with the history of photography and the work of some of the world’s great photographers

·         Ability to identify contemporary practices, including ethical and legal practices of related to photography 

·         Develop a basic technical knowledge of photography in general as well as of digital post-production techniques
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Partecipation  25
Mid Term 25
Essay 20
Portfolio 30

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality shows excellent mastery of the course content along with exceptional levels of technical skill, artistic awareness, originality, resourcefulness, commitment, quantity of work and improvement. There has been excellent collaboration and leadership in group projects, and there have been no attendance problems.
BA highly competent level of performance with work that directly addresses the content of the course, with a good quantity of work produced.
CAn acceptable level of performance: the work shows awareness of the course content, but is very limited in quantity, quality, commitment and skill.
DThe student lacks a coherent grasp of the course material and has failed to produce much work.
FNegligent in attendance, academic honesty, engagement with the course content, or production of work.
-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 ____________
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

Course description

This course creates a foundation of knowledge of photographic history, theory, and practice, and is recommended as preparation for further study in photography. Students will encounter technical issues concerning both film and digital photography, including basic issues of camera functions and controls, darkroom procedures, and digital techniques and software. The course examines a broad range of subjects such as: the early history of photography, photographic genres, use of artificial and of natural light, and various modes of presentation and archival management. Shooting pictures is balanced with classroom work. The course will help students develop a formal and critical vocabulary, an understanding of the uses of photography, and inspiration for more advanced photo courses.

 

Summary of course content

The course combines practical and theoretical experience across a range of genres and approaches. The aim is to develop competency with the diverse tools used to create photographic images and an understanding of photographic traditions.

Aspects include: the invention and many uses of photography, works of master photographers in both commercial, journalistic, and fine arts traditions, photographic genres (such as landscape, portraiture, street photography, etc.), picture making with the pinhole apparatus, and the photo essay, as well as pictorial dynamics, basics of color, modes of presentation, and archival management.

 

Students will create a portfolio of their own photographs; works from this will form part of the final group exhibition. The presentation of the portfolio and the ability to discuss how their photographs function form a central part of the final critique. 

 

The course will include a lesson discussing in detail the ethical and legal aspects of photography, including international and especially Italian and American rules about photographing in public, protection of privacy, eventual use of images, copyright, obtaining model releases, safety, and in general the respectful treatment of others in all phases and aspects of photography. Students must agree to respect the John Cabot University Photography Code of Conduct. 

 

This syllabus is revision adapted to the current situation of Covid-19. As of now, classes will be held in-person whenever possible respecting social distancing protocol. In-person lessons will be supplemented by online reviews and critiques, a research project, and journals, outlined below. 

 

 

Materials and equipment

Students will use a 35mm DSLR camera. 

A film SLR camera is also acceptable, but may require additional independent work, as under the circumstances for Fall 2020, we cannot use the darkroom as a class. 

You will need a journal (notebook and pencil!) to record initial experiments and eventual notes on readings and research. 

A cyanotype kit: http://www.ars-imago.com/arsimagokitcianotipiaper200ml-p-11636.html One kit is sufficient for two students. 

Students must have access to a computer (or JCU labs) in order to upload work to Moodle and to upload, edit, and save images. Lightroom and Photoshop programs are available on the JCU Cloud and in all JCU computer labs. 

Some homework assignments require use of the Fiorentini studios, be sure to sign up for a time slot. This goes especially for the darkroom, to which you will have access.