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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "JRN 199"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Photojournalism: On Location in Rome"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Ventriglia Luigi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: W 9:00-11:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: W 12 -13

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This class is designed for beginning and intermediate photojournalism students exploring Rome and the surrounding countryside, concentrating on photojournalistic photography techniques including the “documentary” method and the dynamics of composition through the use of color and natural light. A variety of subjects will be covered, including how to shoot a photographic essay and prepare a portfolio, along with individual and group image critiques and field trips. 

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; professional ethics; editing and producing photographs; building a portfolio of images; participating in individual and group critiques.

Pre-requisite for the course:

Students must provide their own 35mm TTL (through the lens) digital cameras with a 28-80mm zoom lens or equivalent. Camera needs to include the ability to function on Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, or Program modes. A small tripod is recommended. No cell phone cameras or PDA cameras are allowed.



SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This is a course in basic photojournalism on location, composed of 12 sessions (each being 3.45 hours long. There will be both classroom sessions and classes off campus, held on location in Rome and the surrounding area. 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 where students will apply what they’ve learned in the classroom, shooting individually and as a group on specific assignments and topics including people, portraits, photographic essays, travel, fashion, architecture, food, landscape, nature, and other subjects.




LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of the course students will have an awareness of the methods and techniques of practicing photojournalism on location, camera and lens and lighting techniques, documentary and candid photography, professional photojournalism ethics and standards, image editing, photographic production, and a portfolio of 12 to 16 images. 


TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Photojournalism - The Professionals' Approach Kenneth KobreTaylor and Francis Ltd9780750685931  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Mid-term quiz, Final Exam, Class participation, Photographic assignments & final project Multiple choice questions, photographic essay20%, 20%, 10 %, 50%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A= 94-100; A- = 90-93; B+ = 87-89; B = 83-86; B- = 80-82; C+ = 77-79; C = 73-76; C-= 70-72; D+=67-69; D = 63-66; D-= 60-62; F= 0-59. 



A/A- = Excellent command of the photographic language, image structure sophisticated, project organization is high, software application is advanced. 

B+ = Very good command of the photographic language showing very few errors, image structure is advanced. 

B = Good command of the photographic language, competent use of image structure, evidence of development and complexity, work will generally be above average. 

B- = Satisfactory command of the photographic language, image structure will be simple, medium number of errors. 

C+ = Some evidence of ability to control the photographic language, image structure is simple, frequent but not serious errors. 

C/C- = Some evidence of the ability to control the photographic language, high frequency of errors. 

D = Little evidence of the ability to control or apply the photographic language, failure to execute a photographic project, frequent errors. 

F = No evidence of the ability to apply the photographic language and failure to make a photographic project.



-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is required.

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 One: Introduction to Photojournalism; the creation of meaning through visuals; interpretation of photographs. Field work, individual assignments
Week Two: 
The language of photography; the camera work: b&w photography; natural and artificial lighting; exposure, lenses, depth of field composition. Field work, individual assignments
Week Three:  The ethical issues of Journalistic Photography; The NPPA Code of Ethics. Individual assignments
Week Four: 
The macro-genres of Photography: Portraits, Landscape, Objects. Field work, individual assignments
Week Five: The genres of photojournalism: Culture and Society. Field work, group assignments.
Week Six: The genres of photojournalism: the Arts. Field work, group assignments
Week Seven: Mid-term Exam and Assignments 
Week Eight: The genres of photojournalism: History and Events. Field work, group assignments
Week Nine: The genres of photojournalism; Nature and Science. Field work, group assignments
Week Ten: Planning and Pitching the Final Project. Discovering Rome, group assignments
Week Eleven:
 On the job: Guest speaker. Field work. 
Week Twelve: Photojournalism and the media landscape.
Week Thirteen: Field work; visiting a photographic exhibit (to be determined); analysis of the students' progress on their final project 
Week Fourteen: Photojournalism: A look ahead; Open Lab: opportunity to work on final projects and personal exhibit. 
Week Fifteen: Final Exam
SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates