Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 285"
COURSE NAME: "Film Photography"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Paolo Di Lucente
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: T12:30 PM 3:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: This class requires a materials fee of €75/$85 to cover all basic art supplies.
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course offers instruction in the traditional technique of black and white film photography as a means of communication and personal expression. The major components of the course are the use of the 35mm camera, introduction to darkroom technique, and an overview of historic analog photo processes. The course will treat technical, theoretical, formal and aesthetic issues; color photography will also be addressed. Students must provide their own traditional 35mm film cameras. The university provides a large format camera for use in class. Students will develop and print their work in JCU’s Dark Room.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is designed to explore the art and techniques of film photography, offering a deep understanding of analog processes. It focuses on using film cameras, mastering exposure, and developing composition skills. Participants will learn about different film types and the process of developing black-and-white film. The course also covers scanning film for digital use. Through hands-on projects and critiques, students will gain practical experience in shooting and developing film, fostering a deep appreciation for the craft of film photography.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

- Understanding Film Photography Basics

- Camera Operation and Techniques

- Film Development

- Digitize film negatives

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Participation		20
In-class Photo Assignments		30
Mid Term Photo Critique		20
Final Project		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

Session 1:

Introduction - Presentations of each student’s and professor’s photographic work.

Session 2:

Lesson: Historical overview and basic principles of photography / Basic camera controls

Assignment: Exposure studies / Practice sessions / 1 roll

Session 3:

Lesson: Camera functions / Exposure

In class: Film development / Editing

Assignment: Exposure studies / Practice sessions / 1 roll

Session 4:

Lesson: The Darkroom

In class: Film development and Contact Sheets / Practice sessions

Assignment: Make a Contact sheet of previous assignments

Session 5:

Lesson: Film Scanning

In class: How to scan a negative / Scanning Software / Basic Retouching

Session 6:

Lesson: Film Scanning

In class: How to scan a negative / Scanning Software / Basic Retouching

Session 7:

Mid-term Exam to evaluate knowledge taken during first half of the course

Session 8:

Lesson: Composition theory

In Class: Overview of the different composition techniques

Assignment: Composition / 1 roll

Session 9:

Lesson: Landscape & Architecture

Assignment: Composition / 1 roll

Session 10:

Lesson: Still Life / Studio Practice sessions.

Assignment: Still Life / 1 roll

Session 11:

Lesson: Field trip. Visit to a Photo Bookshop/ Exibition. Time and Place to be defined.

Session 12:

Lesson: How to edit / Sequencing / Practice sessions.

Session 13:

Lesson: Indesign / Basic layout / Practice sessions.

Session 14:

Lesson: Editing / Sequencing / Pairing / Final Project

Session 15:

Session Completion of the final project. Presentation and review of students’ photographic projects.